PREVALENCE AND ACCEPTANCE OF CONTRACEPTIVES AMONG THE RURAL AREAS OF NAROWAL, PUNJAB

Abstract

Background: Pakistan has a crude birth rate of 22.5 per 1,000 population and a death rate of 7.2 per 1,000. Family planning methods, including modern (oral contraceptives, IUDs, implants, injections, condoms, sterilization) and traditional (withdrawal, abstinence, physiological) methods, are provided free of cost through government and NGO facilities. Despite availability, modern contraceptive prevalence among married women is only 27.7%, reflecting disparities between developed and low- and middle-income countries (Yasmeen Jamali & David Jean Simon, 2024). Objective: To determine the prevalence and acceptance of contraceptive methods in rural Narowal, Pakistan. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 310 women of reproductive age using convenience sampling. A structured questionnaire assessed socioeconomic characteristics, reproductive history, contraceptive use, and concerns. The study duration was six months post-approval. Results: The mean age of contraceptive users was 24 years. Most had middle school education. Contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) was 70%, with condoms being the most commonly used method. Conclusion: CPR remained modest due to limited knowledge, socioeconomic constraints, and misconceptions. Acceptance was only satisfactory.