[Nursing and family planning: the interfaces of contraception]

Abstract

This work analyses some aspects of family planning policy in Brazil related to contraceptive methods as published in Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem between 1960 and 1997. The subject analysis considers three categories: Catholic church, feminist and official state discourse. According to the records, in the decade of 1960 the Catholic church discourse was predominant. This situation continued in the decade of 1970, accompanied with emerging voice of the official state discourse. In the decade of 1980, the feminist discourse joined. Finally, in the decade of 1990 the feminist discourse continued, the official state discourse was consolidated and that of the Catholic church was not found any more. In conclusion, the journal established family planning on the agenda of Brazilian nursing by the means of scientific production. The methodology used enabled us to identify what are the obligations of nursing with respect to family planning in the context of its relationship with state policies and with the society.