Dubai: A survey of 500 women in the UAE showed that the most commonly used contraception method is the oral birth control pill and that 84 per cent do not object to the use of contraceptives.

Dr Mona Tahlak, Head of the Obstetrician & Gynaecologist Department at Latifah Hospital, introduced a survey about the use of contraception in the UAE during a lecture commemorating World Contraception Day.

The survey showed that 67 per cent of women have no objection to any form of contraception (sterilation is excluded), 17 per cent accept the use of some contraception methods and only 16 per cent were completely against it.

Some people think that Islam prohibits the use of contraception.

“I have never met a woman in the UAE that was against the use of contraception based on Islamic belief,” Tahlak said, noting that this excludes sterilisation – which is banned in Islam.

“This is family planning and not complete sterilisation, so there is nothing wrong with that.”

As many as36 per cent of the women surveyed, indicated that at one point they have used the pill, 25 per cent used copper coils (Copper Intrauterine devices), 15 per cent never used contraceptives, seven per cent used natural methods, five per cent used injectables, four per cnt used male barriers, three per cent used hormonal coils, two per cent used a diaphragm and one per cent have used a chemical contraceptive method.

However, the survey showed that 41 per cent of the women surveyed were not currently using any form of contraception. 21 per cent were on the pill and 20 per cent were using a copper coil.

“One-on-one counselling sessions with a doctor is very important in choosing the right kind of contraceptive,” Tahlak said.

This is because what works for one woman might not work for the other, she said.

“Asking about contraceptives always comes as an afterthought during visits, this should change.”

Tahlak said that detailed counselling is important as it would help the woman choose the correct contraception for her and being informed would help her continue the use.

Women, she said, are more likely to continue using contraceptives if their husbands are involved and attends the counselling.