Family planning practices among currently married women in Khairpur District, Sindh, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence and sociodemographic factors associated with family planning practices among currently married women in Khairpur District, Sindh, Pakistan.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional community-based survey.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY

From May to June 2000 in Khairpur District, Sindh.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to interview 300 subjects from the study area. Stratified cluster sampling was done to collect information on knowledge and use of family planning methods and other sociodemographic factors from the respondents.

RESULTS

In this series 62% of the women were illiterate. Nearly 45% of the women were in the age group of 25-34 years. Exposure to family planning messages was greater by television (66%) than by radio (55%). The prevalence of family planning methods among married women was 27%. Oral contraceptive pills were the predominant method used (32%). Regarding sociodemographic factors, more than four living children, exposure to family planning messages on TV, and husband's approval were the main factors associated with the use of family planning methods.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of family planning is still low in upper Sindh area. In addition to continued use of mass media (television and radio), involvement of males should be incorporated in future family planning initiatives.