The transition in Korean family planning behavior, 1935-1976: a retrospective cohort analysis.

This study traces the diffusion of family planning behavior-the use of abortion, contraception, and/or sterilization-in Korea between 1935 and 1976. Within- and cross-cohort examinations were made of the levels of ever-use of family planning, method of initiation of family planning, and patterns of family planning behavior. Ever-use of any of the three modes was very low for all cohorts prior to the introduction of the National Family Planning Program in 1962; afterwards, family planning diffused at a rapid rate. A major determinant of ever-use levels attained by cohorts married before 1962 was the length of time between the introduction of the program and menopause.