title: Contraception within six-month postpartum in rural Vietnam: implications on family planning and maternity services.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This longitudinal study documents contraception practice and factors influencing contraception decision within the first six months postpartum, amongst women residing in the rural Northern Central region of Vietnam.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 463 rural women who gave birth during August-October 2002 were recruited and interviewed at one, 16 and 24 weeks postpartum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proportion of contraceptive users at weeks 16 and 24 were 17% and 43% respectively. At week 24, of contraceptive users, 57% used IUD, 25% used condom, and 14% used traditional methods. Logistic regression analysis found age, sufficient knowledge on contraceptives and husband/partner opinion can significantly affect the contraception decision.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In order to improve the situation, health authorities should be encouraged to provide counselling on postpartum contraceptive methods during ante- and postnatal care visits. Health education on family planning and breastfeeding should also involve the husband/partner group taking into account local socio-cultural features.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Curtin of Technology, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Duong
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Binns
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D012424:Rural Population; D013997:Time Factors; D014744:Vietnam