Drivers of contraceptive use choice in Zambia

Modern approaches of birth control have emerged as broadly accepted family planning methods in replacement of traditional alternatives. However, the effectiveness of modern contraceptives has been challenged by serious side effects, either experienced or expected, with inhibiting consequences on the acceptability and utilisation of family planning service. This paper disentangles the drivers of none-use, traditional and modern contraceptive use in Zambia using the 2018 Zambian Demographic Health Surveys (DHS) data. The Conditional logit choice modelling technique is employed to account not only for the differences in alternative contraceptive options but also the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of individual woman making the choice. Empirical results indicate that educated, older and poorer women are likely to adopt the traditional contraceptive methods whereas employed women are indifferent between traditional and modern birth control options. Furthermore, Christian women and those from other religions as well as women with no education prefer no birth control method. The study concludes that employment has the potential to serve as an alternative and safer birth control tool in developing countries and namely in Zambia. Therefore, government's effort to expand family planning program should mainly target non-educated women while promoting safer contraceptive methods. This can be achieved through women education and job creation. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[5]:13- 27).

Study of choices of contraception in postpartum women in a tertiary care institute in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Background: This modern era talks about women strength and empowerment where they are working either equally or one step ahead of men. However, a fall back in making decisions for contraception use and family planning can still be observed. It is most frequently seen among women belonging to some village as they are exposed to a minimal health care. Keeping this in mind, this crucial period was considered as opportunity to test the issue regarding the various choices of contraception available. Objective of this study was to find out the criteria and methods of contraception selected by women in the postpartum period.Methods: A cross-sectional study in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology was conducted over a period of 11/2 years in which a total of 150 postpartum women were interrogated and counselled regarding various methods of contraception.Results: The contraceptive methods most commonly selected in postpartum period are PPIUCD, Barrier, tubal ligation and injectable contraception of which condom is the most common method adopted. The important factors responsible for the choice of contraception include parity, breast- feeding, education and socio-economic status of the women.Conclusions: Postpartum period is particularly important for initiating contraception as the largest proportion with unmet need of contraception is found among those in their first year after child birth. In order to space birth in a healthy manner postpartum contraception should be emphasized upon.

Priority strategies for India’s family planning programme.

Strategies to accelerate progress of India’s family planning programme are discussed and the importance of improving the quality and reach of services to address unmet contraceptive need by providing method choice is emphasized. Although there is a growing demand for both limiting and spacing births, female sterilisation, is the dominant method in the national programme and use of spacing methods remains very limited. Fertility decline has been slower in the empowered action group (EAG) states which contribute about 40 per cent of population growth to the country and also depict gloomy statistics for other socio-development indicators. It is, therefore, important to intensify efforts to reduce both fertility and mortality in these states. a rationale has been provided for implementing integrated programmes using a gender lens because the lack of women’s autonomy in reproductive decision-making, compounded by poor male involvement in sexual and reproductive health matters, is a fundamental issue yet to be addressed. The need for collaboration between scientists developing contraceptive technologies and those implementing family planning services is underscored. If contraceptive technologies are developed with an understanding of the contexts in which they will be delivered and an appreciation of end-users’ needs and perspectives, they are more likely to be accepted by service providers and used by clients.

Association between contraceptive choice and the risk of induced abortion among floating married women of childbearing age / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To find the association between factors related to contraception,reproductive health and the risk of induced abortion among floating married women of childbearing age,so as to provide basis for improving the access to health services for floating women of childbearing age.Methods Using data from the reproductive health survey on floating population from five cities in 2005,factors as demographic characteristics,contraceptive choice,settings and access to health services,induced abortion among the floating married women of childbearing age were described.Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the association the factors relative to contraception,reproductive health and the risk of induced abortion between 543 cases and 1796 controls.Results The risks of induced abortion among those under 30-years-old floating married women of childbearing age were 2.08-fold (95％CI:1.26-3.42) of the group at the age of 40 years old.The risk of abortion among floating married women at childbearing age who were taking short-acting contraceptive methods,was 2.56-fold (95％ CI:1.84-3.56) of those using the long-acting methods of contraception.The induced abortion risk of floating women at childbearing age who paid the contraceptive implement out of their own pockets,was 1.72-fold (95％ CI:1.32-2.24) of those who got it free of charge.The risks of abortion among women who recieved the contraceptive devices through maternal and child health centers,general hospitals or street residential committees were 2.69-fold (95％CI:1.71-4.22),2.49-fold (95％CI:1.68-3.68) and 1.81-fold (95％CI:1.20-2.72) of those who received them from urban or rural family planning stations,respectively.The induced abortion risk for women who were ignorant of emergency contraception,was 1.41-fold (95％ CI:1.12-1.78) of those who had the knowledge.The abortion risks of floating women at childbearing age who get the contraceptive knowledge from the colleagues,relatives or friends were 1.85 times (95％ CI:1.28-2.67) of those from family planning workers.Conclusion Factors,including age,short-acting contraceptive methods,paid access to contraceptive implement,ignorance of emergency contraception might largely contribute to the increased risk of induced abortion among floating married women of childbearing age,which called for future attention.