Contraceptive discontinuation in Bangladesh

Nazmun Nessa, Uttara Adunik Medical College

Bangladesh has made significant progress in many areas including an increase in contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR), increase in life expectancy, and increase in literacy rate, decline in infant- child mortality decline, in unmet need for family planning, etc. Although contraceptive prevalence rate increases at 7 percent per year, the total fertility rate has almost been stable at 3.3 births per woman in Bangladesh since 1993. Discontinuation of contraceptive use has been identified as a major contributor to the stagnation of the TFR. Using multiple –decrement life tables, it was found that discontinuation was significantly related to the contraceptive method, duration of use, incidence of side effects, education of the woman and her religion. Follow up and quality care were associated with switching of methods. The study recommends further emphasis on quality of care, as well as providing supplementary vitamins to the vulnerable groups to overcome the effects of malnutrition.