Noncompliance among oral contraceptive acceptors in rural Bangladesh

The levels of noncompliance among 175 oral contraceptive acceptors in a rural area of Bangladesh were monitored for three to four months. Unexpectedly high levels of noncompliance were observed, including both overconsumption and underconsumption of oral contraceptive pills. Although the study was designed to investigate only the levels of noncompliance and not the causes and consequences of noncompliance, some useful indications of the factors associated with noncompliance were obtained. The results indicate that noncompliance is a significant factor in family planning programs and, as such, warrants further in-depth investigation.