Prevalence and Predictors of Contraception Usage in Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Background Contraception, also known as family planning, refers to methods that intercept unwanted pregnancies. The modalities of contraception have evolved and multiplied over time to facilitate users. Despite enormous benefits, the contraceptive methods remain underutilized in developing countries such as Pakistan. Accordingly, the primary purpose of our study is to determine the prevalence, perception, and attitude of contraceptive usage in Karachi. The study further assesses the knowledge and core determinants of contraception. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan. The sample population comprised currently married males and females residing in Karachi, with females from 16 to 45 years of age and males of 16 years of age and forth. Pregnant females, divorcees, and widowed individuals were excluded. A pre-tested questionnaire was administered to record the demographics, knowledge, and frequency of contraceptive usage, and attitude and perception towards contraception. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS( v. 23.0 (IBM Corp. Armonk, NY). Results Results depicted that 93.4% (n=468) had knowledge of contraception while 49.7% (n=249) were currently using contraception. The most frequently employed contraceptive modality emerged as condoms (n=163, 65.5%), followed by withdrawal (n=71, 28.5%) and pills (n=62, 24.9%). The prevalence of contraceptive usage was more inclined towards the educated stratum and higher socioeconomic class. Potential predictors for contraceptive usage came out as the number of children, knowledge regarding contraception, spouse’s support for usage, a desire for more children, and family planning counseling (p<0.05). Conclusion There is a drastic increase in the prevalence of contraceptive usage in Pakistan as compared to previous studies. Efforts must be made to further augment the knowledge and awareness regarding contraceptive modalities to increase acceptability and eliminate myths prevalent in society regarding contraception.

Factors Associated with Modern Contraceptive Use among Married Women Attending Comprehensive Health Centers (CHCs) in Kandahar, Afghanistan

“…This may be the case as these health facilities are rendering family planning services. In this study, modern contraceptive use was lower than that of other studies conducted in India (52.2%) [9], Pakistan (49.7%) [10], Iran (72.9%) [11], and the United Arab Emirates (61.8%) [12]. This variation in contraceptive use reported in studies could be attributed to variation in cultural attitudes towards contraceptive use, access and availability of contraceptives in the study area, socioeconomic status, research design, and other nonexplored factors.…”

“…Contraceptive use is affected by many factors such as socioeconomic factors including women' age, education, residency, and occupation [7][8][9][10]; reproductive factors including marital age, gestational age, gravidity, parity, and birth spacing [8][9][10]; and other factors including awareness regarding contraceptives, poor access to healthcare, access to media, and various disease-related issues [7][8][9][11][12][13][14][15]. Understanding the factors influencing contraceptive use among those married women who are at risk for unintended pregnancies is essential for the development of effective family planning programs.…”

Trends and Factors Associated with Oral Contraceptive Use among Korean Women

“…Understanding the factors influencing contraceptive use among premenopausal women who are at risk of unintended pregnancy is important for the development of effective family planning policies. Previous studies have suggested that socioeconomic factors including age, education, residency, and occupation are among the main factors influencing contraceptive use [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Some studies have also reported that reproductive factors including marital age, gestational age, gravidity, parity, and birth interval also affect contraceptive use [ 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

“…Previous studies have suggested that socioeconomic factors including age, education, residency, and occupation are among the main factors influencing contraceptive use [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Some studies have also reported that reproductive factors including marital age, gestational age, gravidity, parity, and birth interval also affect contraceptive use [ 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

Contraceptive and Abortion-Related Practices Among Females of Lower Income Group in District Lahore

“…A study in Karachi in 2020 showed current contraceptive use to be 49.7% which is much better than current study findings. 19 This might be explained by improvement in family planning services over these 5 years after FP 2020 initiative or another reason could be a better knowledge and attitudes of females residing in Karachi than Lahore. Only 20% of the respondents used contraceptives and IUCD was the most commonly used followed by condoms, oral pills and injectables.…”