Socio-demographic characteristics of family planning clients and their possible influence on contraception in Malawi
Lema, V.M.; Mtimavalye, L.A.; Msiska, F.S.
East African Medical Journal 75(1): 41-46
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-835X PMID: 9604534 Document Number: 495291
This study examined the social, demographic, and reproductive profiles and contraceptive usage of women seeking contraceptive services at the largest public clinic in Blantyre, Malawi, during July 1 to December 31, 1993. Data were obtained from a prospective survey among 830 new family planning clients at the Queen Elizabeth Central Teaching Hospital. 69.1% of new clients were seeking contraception for the first time. The mean age of new clients was 27 years. 10.1% of new clients were aged 10-19 years, and 17.1% were aged over 35 years. Almost 30% had a secondary education or higher. 57.7% had only primary school education. 12.6% had no formal education. Better educated women had lower parity, number of living children, and desired fertility. 91.3% were married. 66.3% were housewives. 24.4% were engaged in formal employment. 88.5% of male partners were engaged in formal employment. The mean age at menarche was 15 years. The mean parity was 3.6. Nearly 60% of women aged under 24 years had a parity of 2 or higher. 65.9% had the same number of living children as their parity. 31.1% of women desired 4 children. 13.4% desired a pregnancy within 2 years of the previous pregnancy, which was a poor outcome. Women with a higher number of living children had the desire for the longest birth interval. 98.7% knew at least one family planning method. 30.9% had ever used contraceptives (oral pills and condoms). 49.0% and 42.9% of the 963 clients accepted, respectively, the oral pill and Depo Provera. There was a strong correlation between the methods known and desired, and the methods accepted.