CONTRACEPTION Contraception, also known as birth control, is a method or device used to prevent pregnancy. In developing countries contraception has reduced the number of maternal deaths by about 40% since the mid-1990s. They have prevented unintended pregnancies among women at risk of poor obstetric outcomes; the very young, the very old and the highly parous. Reviews have shown that birth control increases economic growth due to fewer dependent children, more women participating in the work force and less use of scarce resources. Birth Control methods vary according to effectiveness and may be reversible or permanent. Reversible methods include barrier methods, hormonal birth control, intrauterine devices and behavioural methods. Barrier contraceptives physically prevent sperms entry into the uterus. They include male condoms, female condoms, cervical caps, diaphragms and less commonly contraceptive sponges with spermicide. Male condoms are the most widely...