Methodology: A survey was conducted by the Operations Research Project of the ICDDR,B during November 1998 - March 1999 in four rural subdistricts of Bangladesh. Systematic random sampling was employed and information was obtained on the contraceptive use of currently married women aged 15 to 49 years. A total of 2,814 never-users of contraceptives were identified. The reasons for non- use of contraceptives and factors affecting future intention were assessed.
Results: Need not felt was the most common reason cited for non-use of contraceptives, followed by social barriers, concern for health and fear of side-effects. Programmatic barriers were negligible. Contraceptive need was not felt mostly due to desire for more children and husbands living abroad. Of those who desired more children, 27 percent had 2 or more children. Husband's opposition (13%) and self-opposition (8%) were the two main social barriers. Breastfeeding was also reported as a reason for non-use by 13 percent of women.
It was also observed that intention to use contraceptives was significantly higher among those who had received advice to use contraceptives than among those who did not receive any advice. Intention to use contraceptives was also found to be significantly higher with increase in the education of the women and the number of living children
Conclusion: Results of the study suggest that there is need to address social barriers to contraceptive use with emphasis on involvement of males.
Learning Objectives: To assess the reasons for non-use of contraceptives and attitude towards family planning among never users
Keywords: Contraceptives,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.