Table 2.4.1. Personal beliefs about birth control  (n=1400)

Statements about contraceptives

Quite true

Possible

Not true

Don’t know

The pills makes women gain weight

31.8

0.8

7.6

59.8

Taking the pills for too long can cause infertility

31.4

0.7

10.8

57.1

The pills make periods more regular

25.9

0.6

8.9

64.6

The pills cause hair growth on the face

52.8

1.2

5.1

40.9

Taking the pill increases the risk of getting cancer

21.8

0.4

8.3

69.5

Condoms protect against STDs

70.1

1.4

5.7

22.8

Withdrawal is a reliable method of family planning

40.6

1.2

37.9

20.3

It is much easier to perform an abortion than to have the IUD inserted

14.1

0.3

61.0

24.6

It is not recommended to use an IUD before having the first child

56.6

0.2

10.1

26.1

Female and male sterilization are reversible methods of family planning

8.6

0.5

27.2

63.8