Contraceptive Discontinuation Among Egyptian Women: Results From Egypt Demographic And Health Survey 2005

Abstract

Background: Unintended pregnancy is a major public health problem that affects not only the individuals directly involved but also society. Most couples who want to avoid pregnancy practice contraception. Objective: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of discontinuation of the different methods of contraception and describe the most common reasons of discontinuation of contraception usage. Method: The 2005 Egypt Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) is a nationally representative household survey of 19 474 married women aged 15–49 years. The study sample was selected using a multistage sampling technique. A face-to-face structured interview was conducted with the selected women. The response rate was 99.5% for completing the questionnaires. The 2005 EDHS provides a wealth of information on fertility, family planning, maternal and child health and nutrition, and violence against women. Results: The results of this study showed that 46.4% of women discontinued the use of contraception. Side effects of the method were the most frequent reason of discontinuation. Conclusion: Nearly half of Egyptian women discontinued the use of contraception due to side effects and wanted more children.