Contraceptive prevalence among adolescent married women in rural Bangladesh.

ABSTRACT

Although contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) has increased over the last decade it has not yet reached the desired level. This cross sectional study aimed at exploring the current use of the modern methods of contraception and some related issues among the adolescent married girls residing in two rural areas of Faridpur district. A total of 426 girls were interviewed. The mean age of marriage was found to be 15.5+/-1.5 years among the respondents and 57.5% of them had secondary level education. Majority of the women (97.7%) were housewives and 41% of the households had a monthly income of Taka. 2001-4000. It was found that only 41% of the couples were currently practicing a modern method of contraception, oral pill being the most popular method (69.9%). In seventy one percent of the respondents, husband and wife jointly took the decision regarding contraceptive use. The main reasons for use were for spacing purpose (50.3%) and for delaying of first pregnancy (42.2%). Increasing female literacy rate, improving their socio economic condition and providing family planning services at the doorstep could help in improving the situation.