Impact of Socioeconomic Status and Place of Residence on Type of Contraceptive Method Use among Urban Women in Bangladesh

Currently, 50% of the world's population resides in urban areas. Over the next three decades, virtually all population growth will occur in urban regions, particularly urban slums, due to continued high fertility and rural-to-urban migration. Bangladesh will follow similar trends. A better understanding of the health circumstances of the urban slum population will enable policy makers to identify healthcare priorities for this population. Effective family planning (FP) will be essential to addressing unmet need for FP, and reducing maternal mortality. The 2006 Bangladesh Urban Health Survey is unique in that it includes a representative urban sample stratified into slums and non-slums, and a sample of non-urban District Municipalities (DM), for comparison. Almost 14,200 women were interviewed from 12,750 households. The total fertility rate is highest in slums (2.46) compared to non-slums (1.85) and DM (2.07). Prevalence of modern contraceptive use is 58% in slums, with wide variation across slums, compared to 63% in non-slums. Slum dwellers rely on the public sector more for FP than non-slum and DM residents. This study describes the prevalence of FP as well as the method mix based on area of residence (slum, non-slum, and DM) after adjusting for individual, household, and neighborhood factors. Other factors explored include distance from a service provider and type of health service availability. The analysis reveals factors affecting non-use among women with an unmet need. Recommendations from these findings will help suggest strategies to improve FP access and further target urban dwellers with an unmet need.