Knowledge of adolescents on contraception and dynamics of its use
Rahman, M.M.; Kabir, M.
Health and Population Perspectives and Issues 28(4): 164-177
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-6803 Document Number: 681107
A cross-sectional study was conducted in both rural and urban areas in Bangladesh. Data from 1881 married adolescents (mean age, 16.9+or-1.5 years; 12-19 years old) were analysed. 31.2% were illiterate, 35.0% had 1-5 years of schooling, the rest had >6 years of schooling. Data on knowledge about contraceptive use was obtained from 2256 married adolescents. 99.8% had knowledge on contraceptive use, with oral contraceptives as the most commonly known method (99.3%), followed by condoms (83.5%), injectables (72.7%), tubectomy (37.5%), intrauterine devices (34.3%) and traditional methods. 41.3% were utilizing contraceptives, 59.6% of whom used oral contraceptives, 19.2% condoms, 15.2% injectables and 2.4% intrauterine devices. 55.7% of the respondents procured their contraceptives from pharmacies, 22.5% obtained them from Family Welfare Centres, 19% obtained them from Thana Health Complexes, 12.6% from field workers and 6.6% from satellite clinics. Regarding non-use of contraceptives, 26.6% reported that they wanted to have children, 21.3% said they were breast feeding, 16.8% noted that their husband disapproved of using contraceptives, 13.2% cited postpartum amenorrhoea and 11.3% feared side-effects.