Contraceptive uptake and its determinants and unmet need for contraception amongst women in an urban Muslim community: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Context: An estimate of the determinants of contraceptive usage and the extent of unmet need for contraception is necessary to determine the maximum potential demand for family planning services to achieve the targeted Total fertility rate of 2.1 in our country. Aims: To assess the contraceptive uptake and its determinants and to estimate the unmet need of contraception. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 728 married women of an urban Muslim dominated community in the age group 15-45 years at Khetrigao, Imphal East, Manipur, during April-June 2012. A semi-structured proforma was used to collect the respondents' characteristics. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to test for association. Results: Contraceptive prevalence was found to be 55.5%, but only 351 respondents were effectively protected and were using modern methods (Couple Protection Rate 48.2%). The total unmet need calculated was 23.9%. Fear of side effect (29.9%) was the major reason for not using family planning methods. Almost half of the respondents [345 (47.4%)] gave history of undergoing abortions. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that having access to health facility [odds ratio (OR) 1.989, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.083-3.665], husbands having a favourable attitude toward family planning (OR 3.224, 95% CI 1.268-8.199), women who had undergone an abortion (OR 2.471, 95% CI 1.707-3.576), and women who discuss with their husbands about using contraceptives (OR 3.069, 95% CI 1.696-5.551) were significantly more likely to be users of modern contraceptive methods. Conclusion: Education of women and increased accessibility to family planning services in this community will empower them to take decisions regarding adoption of contraception.