Reasons for not using contraceptives: an international comparison

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Demography
• Global Health

Background:

• Contraceptive use is crucial for reproductive health and family planning.
• Understanding reasons for nonuse is vital for improving access and uptake of family planning services globally.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and analyze the primary reasons for contraceptive nonuse among women of reproductive age in selected Asian and Latin American countries.
• To examine how socioeconomic and demographic factors influence these reasons for nonuse.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving currently in-union, nonpregnant women aged 15-44.
• Data collected from Bangladesh, Korea, Thailand, Barbados, Colombia, and Costa Rica.
• Analysis of stated reasons for nonuse and their correlation with demographic and socioeconomic variables.

Main Results:

• The most common reasons for nonuse included desire for next child, side effects/health concerns, and temporary infecundity.
• Contraceptive disapproval varied significantly across countries, with lower levels in Korea, Thailand, and Barbados.
• Women's age, number of living children, and prior family planning use were key factors differentiating reasons for nonuse.

Conclusions:

• Addressing specific barriers like side effects and perceived infecundity is essential for increasing contraceptive uptake.
• Cultural and social norms regarding contraceptive disapproval require tailored interventions.
• Demographic and socioeconomic factors play a significant role in contraceptive decision-making, necessitating targeted family planning strategies.