REASONS FOR DISCONTINUATION OF CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS AMONG COUPLES WITH DIFFERENT FAMILY SIZE AND EDUCATIONAL STATUS

Authors

  • Farwa Rizvi
  • Ghazia Irfan

Abstract

Background: High rates of contraceptive discontinuation for reasons other than the desire for
pregnancy are a public health concern because of their association with negative reproductive health
outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine reasons for discontinuation of contraceptive
methods among couples with different family size and educational status. Methods: This crosssectional study was carried out at the Obstetrics/Gynaecology Out-Patient Department of Pakistan
Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad from April-September 2012. Patients (241) were selected by
consecutive sampling after informed written consent and acquiring approval of Ethical Committee. The
survey interview tool was a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: Majority (68%) of women
belonged to urban, and the rest were from rural areas. Mean age of these women was 29.43±5.384 year.
Reasons for discontinuation of contraceptives included fear of injectable contraceptives (2.9%),
contraceptive failure/pregnancy (7.46%), desire to become pregnant (63.48%), husband away at job
(2.49%), health concerns/side effects (16.18%), affordability (0.83%), inconvenient to use (1.24%),
acceptability (0.83%) and accessibility/lack of information (4.56%). Association of different reasons of
discontinuation (chi square test) with the family size (actual number of children) was significant
(p=0.019) but was not significant with husband's or wife's educational status (p=0.33 and 0.285
respectively). Conclusions: Keeping in mind the complex socioeconomic conditions in our country,
Family planning programmers and stake holders need to identify women who strongly want to avoid a
pregnancy and finding ways to help the couples successfully initiate and maintain appropriate
contraceptive use.
Keywords: Contraceptives, discontinuation, side effects

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Published

2012-03-01

How to Cite

Rizvi, F., & Irfan, G. (2012). REASONS FOR DISCONTINUATION OF CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS AMONG COUPLES WITH DIFFERENT FAMILY SIZE AND EDUCATIONAL STATUS. Journal of Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, 24(1), 101–104. Retrieved from https://jamc.ayubmed.edu.pk/index.php/jamc/article/view/2165

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 1 (2012): JOURNAL OF AYUB MEDICAL COLLEGE, ABBOTTABAD

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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