Family planning in Jordan: 1983 survey data

Data from the 1983 fertility survey in Jordan indicate that 26 percent of married women were using contraceptives, reflecting a very small relative increase in use in the seven years before the survey. Only 5 percent of nonusers stated that they desired to use a method. Other data from the same survey suggest a potential demand for contraception, for spacing as well as limiting births, among those not using. For example, many recent pregnancies were reported to be unplanned. Also, among nonusers who did not desire to use a method, many stated they did not desire to become pregnant, yet were exposed to the risk of pregnancy. A pool of potential users exists who can be considered in need of contraception (i.e., fecund, not pregnant or desiring pregnancy, and not using contraceptives)--20 percent of all currently married, childbearing-age women--who may become contraceptive users as attitudes toward contraception change.