Some Protestants, however, reject the position that contraceptive use is a matter of conscience.

This single method was responsible for more than half (52%) of all contraceptive use in Brazil.

"We are worried about the wide differentiation between contraceptive use on a regional level," he said.

In other areas, contraceptive use was as low as 6 percent.

And certain risks, such as oral contraceptive use, are unique to women.

The current contraceptive use among married women 15-49 years old increased from 58% in 1993 to 70.3% in 1998.

It says that some research suggests a relationship between oral contraceptive use for five years or more and an increased risk.

Within the industrialized or "northern" countries of the world today, contraceptive use is nearly universal.

Pills are especially popular in more developed countries, where they account for 25% of contraceptive use.