Knowledge and practices of family planning in Zimbabwe.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the level of knowledge and use of family planning in Zimbabwe.


METHODS
Cross sectional study.


METHODS
All eight provinces and two major cities in Zimbabwe.


METHODS
Women of child bearing age (15 to 49 years, 6,083 respondents).


METHODS
Number of live births, knowledge of contraceptive methods, previous, current and intention for future use of contraceptives, method related problems.


RESULTS
The contraceptive prevalence rate was 59.6% (CI 95% 58.4 to 60.9). The median number of live births was two (Q1 = 1, Q3 = 4) among all women, and seven (Q1 = 6, Q3 = 8) among women aged 40 to 49 years. Of 6,083 women interviewed, 5,849 (96.2%) knew at least one method of modern family planning, and 4,743 (78.0%) had ever used contraceptive in their life. Health concerns were the main reason for both discontinuation (28.5%) and postponement (22.8%) of contraceptive use.


CONCLUSIONS
As compared to the 1991 Mother and Child Health Survey, knowledge and coverage of family planning services have improved further, and the introduction of injectable contraceptives has proved a success. Areas which need attention include the groups with high parity that remain under served, the low knowledge and use of condoms as a contraceptive, and the high level of health concerns among current and potential users.
Schwartz
U
U
Department of Community Medicine, University of Zimbabwe, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Tshimanga
M
M
Shodu
L K
LK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010298:Parity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014930:Women / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D015030:Zimbabwe