Contraceptive use and fertility in Paraguay, 1987

In 1987, 38 percent of married Paraguayan women aged 15-44 were practicing contraception, with oral contraceptives being the most prevalent method. Fertility rates for the population were at corresponding levels, with an overall fertility rate of 5.4 births per woman. Fertility has not changed substantially for the nation as a whole since 1979, and contraceptive use has increased by only 6 percentage points. Findings from the present study are consistent with the lack of a public sector family planning program in the country. Pharmacies are the principal source of contraceptives in the country. Twenty-two percent of all women and one-third of married women are at risk of having an unplanned pregnancy. The greatest impact on contraceptive use can be made if new and continued program efforts focus n the interior of the Oriental region of the country.