Predictors of Contraceptive practice in married women of Punjab, Pakistan

Objective: Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world. Current contraceptive use in Pakistan is only 26% despite being one of the leading countries in Asia to launch National family planning programs. Major constraint of acceptability among women is the lack of awareness and implementation of contraceptive methods. The objective of this study was to explore the reasons behind this behavior.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with non-probability convenient sampling with sample size of 400 married women attending Fazle-Omar Hospital, Chenab Nagar, Punjab, having age between 15 to 60 years from August 2019 to February 2020. To assess the awareness of respondents about contraception, a questionnaire was made after testing its internal consistency. Data was analyzed via SPSS-21; nominal data was expressed as frequencies and percentages, quantitative as mean and standard deviation. Binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine predictors for contraception practice. P-value < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Our respondents mean age was 30.73±5.9 years. Majority of responders (65%) were educated and (61%) belonged to low socio-economic class. Mean awareness score was 65±26. Out of 400 respondents, 260 (65%) were practicing contraception. Relatives and media were major sources of awareness while clinics and LHVs were contributing less. Condom was the most practiced method of contraception. Low socio-economic class, increase number of kids, responders’ education and awareness score were the predictors of contraception practice.

Conclusion: The education of women and awareness score are independent predictors of contraceptive practice in women. Hence by educating mothers and increasing awareness through various means, practice of contraception can be increased. There is much room to improve the working of family health clinics and LHV.