Family planning in Bangladesh: an unlikely success story
Larson, A.; Mitra, S.N.
International Family Planning Perspectives 18(4): 123-129, 144
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0190-3187 DOI: 10.2307/2133539Document Number: 484556
Two independent national surveys were conducted in Bangladesh in 1989 to examine contraceptive use and indicators of fertility among rural and urban populations. The surveys, using a two-stage probability sample design, selected 80 urban and 120 rural sample areas from a national sampling frame of areas with populations of 150-500 households. The results show that Bangladesh has achieved a moderate level of contraceptive use: among currently married women under 50 years old, 31% use a contraceptive method. In addition, 44% of ever-married women younger than 50 have used a method at some time. The method mix, historically characterized by use of a wide range of methods, is increasingly dominated by oral contraceptives, which accounted for 29% of use in 1989. Contraceptive prevalence increased, at a faster rate in rural than urban areas, and the total fertility rate as a result declined from seven lifetime births during the mid-1970s to about five by the end of the 1980s. Mean desired family size in 1989 was three children, indicating that there may still be considerable unmet need for family planning services. The results of 2 independent national surveys conducted in 1989 show that Bangladesh has achieved a moderate level of contraceptive use: among currently married women under 50 years old, 31% use a contraceptive method and almost 25% use a modern method. In addition, 44% of ever-married women younger than 50 have used a method at some time. The method mix, historically characterized by use of a wide range of methods, is increasingly dominated by oral contraceptives, which accounted for 29% of use in 1989. Reflecting the increase in contraceptive prevalence, the total fertility rate declined from 7 lifetime births during the mid-1970s to about 5 lifetime births by the end of the 1980s. Mean desired family size in 1989, however, was 3 children, indicating that there may still be considerable unmet need for family planning services.AS.