Family planning practices among currently married women in Khairpur District, Sindh, Pakistan.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and sociodemographic factors associated with family planning practices among currently married women in Khairpur District, Sindh, Pakistan.


METHODS
Cross-sectional community-based survey.


METHODS
From May to June 2000 in Khairpur District, Sindh.


METHODS
A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to interview 300 subjects from the study area. Stratified cluster sampling was done to collect information on knowledge and use of family planning methods and other sociodemographic factors from the respondents.


RESULTS
In this series 62% of the women were illiterate. Nearly 45% of the women were in the age group of 25-34 years. Exposure to family planning messages was greater by television (66%) than by radio (55%). The prevalence of family planning methods among married women was 27%. Oral contraceptive pills were the predominant method used (32%). Regarding sociodemographic factors, more than four living children, exposure to family planning messages on TV, and husband's approval were the main factors associated with the use of family planning methods.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence of family planning is still low in upper Sindh area. In addition to continued use of mass media (television and radio), involvement of males should be incorporated in future family planning initiatives.
Ali
Sajid
S
Department of Community Health Sciences, Public Health Physician RPHB, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, USA. sajidali@uab.edu
White
Franklin Mm
FM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010154:Pakistan; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors