Family planning needs of female chronic psychiatric outpatients

The authors investigated the pregnancy outcomes, contraceptive behavior, and contraceptive needs of 80 female chronic psychiatric outpatients. Thirty-one percent of the patients reported they had had induced abortions. Of 75 children born, 60% were being reared by people other than the mothers. Thirty-three percent of the patients who had had intercourse during the preceding year and had not wanted to become pregnant reported not having used contraception at the time of last intercourse. The authors discuss the special contraceptive needs of chronic psychiatric patients and encourage psychiatrists to inquire about patients' family planning practices.