Examining contraceptive utilization behavior in Pakistani women

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Sociology
• Demography

Background:

• Limited research exists on couple characteristics influencing contraceptive use in developing nations.
• This study investigates women's bargaining power and spousal age differences in Pakistan.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the association between women's intra-household bargaining power and spousal age differentials with contraceptive utilization in Pakistan.
• To identify key couple characteristics impacting contraceptive behavior.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analysis of 13,331 married women (aged 15-49) from the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017-18.
• Binary regression models were used to assess the relationship between bargaining power, age difference, and contraceptive use.
• Exploratory analysis examined contraceptive knowledge, utilization patterns, and future intentions.

Main Results:

• Only 33% of women currently use contraceptives, with 30% intending to use them in the future.
• Higher odds of contraceptive use were found in couples with significant age differences (husband ≥20 years older or younger).
• Increased spousal age difference correlated with a higher intention to use contraceptives; women's bargaining power significantly predicted current use and future intentions.

Conclusions:

• Couple characteristics, specifically women's bargaining power and spousal age gaps, are crucial for reproductive healthcare programming.
• Empowering women and reducing age disparities within couples can improve contraceptive utilization and reproductive health outcomes.