Effects of Periodic Religious Fasting for Decades on Nutrient Intakes and the Blood Biochemical Profile

The aim of the present study was to examine differences and correlations in nutrient intakes and serum parameters related to nutrient intake (lipid profile, vitamins, and trace elements) in 200 lifelong Christian Orthodox Church (COC) fasters with periodic abstinence from certain foods (predominantly of animal origin) for approximately half of the year and 200 non-fasting controls, all of whom did not take dietary supplements. Nutrient intakes were assessed through three-day dietary recalls. Blood samples were drawn for the analysis of potential biomarkers of nutrient intake. Fasters had lower energy intake, due to lower fat and protein intake, compared to non-fasters (p < 0.05). Fasters also had lower intakes of vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, D, folate, pantothenate, sodium, calcium, zinc, and phosphorus. Most participants (in both groups) did not meet the recommended dietary allowances of most vitamins and elements. Most serum biochemical parameters did not reflect the differences in nutrient intakes between groups, and none exhibited a correlation coefficient above 0.5 with nutrient intakes. Our findings suggest that COC fasting is associated with reduced intake of many nutrients, although this does not seem to have an impact on the blood biochemical profile.

THE The Increase of Drop Out Rate on Contraceptives Usage in Central Sulawesi (Raw Data Analysis of 2017 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS))

This study discusses the increase of drop out rate on contraceptives usage and its various underlying factors in the use of family planning in Central Sulawesi as one of many phenomena that occurs in the community. Logistic regression results of 2017 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey on contraceptives usage data showed that injection had the highest drop out rate (31.9%), followed by Pills (11.9%), coitus interruptus (4%), and implant (2.4%). Some contraceptives methods that had below 2% drop out rate are periodic abstinence (1.8%), male condoms (1.3%), IUD (1%), LAM method (0.5%) and other traditional methods (0.3%). The high drop out rate of contraceptive usage will affect the continuity of the Family Planning program.

Natural Family Planning and Marital Chastity: The Effects of Periodic Abstinence on Marital Relationships

Marital chastity is the practice of periodic abstinence with use of natural family planning (NFP). The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of the most common methods of contraception (female sterilization, oral contraceptive pills, and condoms) and NFP on divorce/separation and cohabitation rates among reproductive age women. The study involved an extensive review of the literature on the effects of practice of NFP on marital dynamics and a statistical analysis of 2,550 ever-married women in the (2015–2017) National Survey of Family Growth data set. Importance of religion and frequency of church attendance were included in the analysis. With ever-use of NFP, 14 percent were divorced or separated, and 27 percent to 39 percent were divorced or separated with ever-use of oral contraceptive pills. Stepwise logistic regression indicated that ever-use of contraception was associated with increased odds of divorce or separation (odds ratio [OR] = 2.05; confidence interval [CI]: 1.96–2.49) and cohabitation (2.95, CI: 2.20–3.95). Ever-use of NFP yielded 58 percent lower odds for divorce or separation. Frequent church attendance was associated with lower odds of divorce or separation and cohabitation. Although there are lower odds of divorce among NFP users, the reason might be due to their religiosity. Summary: This study showed that ever-use of natural family planning (NFP) among ever-married women was associated with 58 percent lower odds of divorce than among women who never-used NFP. Ever-use of contraceptive methods was associated with two times the odds of divorce and four times for cohabitation compared to those women who never-used those methods. Use of periodic abstinence with NFP is the practice of marital chastity and is thought to strengthen the marital relationship.

Contaceptive use spacing after childbirth with contraception failure: IDHS 2012 analysis

Contraceptive use after childbirth and contraception failure: an analysis of Indonesia Demographic Health Survey 2012PurposeThis research aimed to evaluate the use of contraception after childbirth with contraception failure. MethodsThis research was an observational study using IDHS 2012 with a retrospective cohort design. Married women who got pregnant while using contraceptives were the unit of analysis. Statistical analysis used survival analysis with stratified Cox Regression methods.ResultsAnalysis showed a higher failure rate in the traditional contraceptive methods such as coitus interruptus and periodic abstinence. The failure rate of the contraceptive method implant in Indonesia was higher by 10 times the global failure rate. Women who had used contraceptive for 33-48 weeks and >48 weeks after childbirth had higher risk of pregnancy with contraceptive failure (respectively HR=1.25; 95% CI: 0.63-2.47 and 1.91; 95% CI: 1-3.67), respectively. Other factors influencing the contraceptive failure were age and met or unmet needs.ConclusionContraceptive use after childbirth is associated with contraceptive failure among woman of childbearing age in Indonesia. Providers of contraceptive implants may introduce additional variations of implantable contraceptives in Indonesia and are supported by qualified health personnel.

USE OF PERIODIC ABSTINENCE IN BANGLADESH: DO THEY REALLY UNDERSTAND?

Data from a nationally representative study in Bangladesh (BDHS 1996–97) were analysed to identify significant predictors of use of periodic abstinence, in comparison with other modern contraceptive methods. The study found that women in Bangladesh mostly use modern methods during their peak reproductive years, after which some of them switch to periodic abstinence. These women tend to be more from educated and from higher socioeconomic backgrounds and with at least one living son. Another set of data from the Matlab DSS was analysed and the results were in the same direction. Focus group discussions found that women were using the periodic abstinence method incorrectly, abstaining for more days than is necessary. For Bangladeshi contraceptive users to reach a higher degree of use-effectiveness for period abstinence, more IEC materials need to be developed.