Knowledge Of Contraceptive Use Research Articles

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Contraceptives Used among Indigenous Women of Reproductive Age in Barangay Hawilian, Esperanza, Agusan Del Sur

This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of contraceptives used among indigenous women of reproductive age in Barangay Hawilian, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur. A cross-sectional research design was employed, utilizing a researcher-made survey questionnaire as the primary research instrument. The questionnaire consisted of four parts: respondent’s profile, knowledge of contraceptive use, attitudes towards contraception, and contraceptive practices. Data were collected at a single point in time to obtain a “snapshot” of the participants’ contraceptive-related experiences. A random sampling method was used to select 33 participants, ensuring representation from the target population. Findings revealed that indigenous women exhibited high levels of knowledge regarding contraceptive methods with mean of 4.12. Positive attitudes towards contraception were generally observed among the respondents with an overall mean of 4.51 and good practices of 4.01, highlighting their recognition of its role in family planning and women’s health. The study also shed light on the prevailing contraceptive practices among indigenous women in the community, capturing information on the types of contraceptives used and their consistency in utilization. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the factors influencing contraceptive use in this specific population and provide insights for the development of tailored interventions and policies. The study highlights the importance of targeted reproductive health education, addressing knowledge gaps, and promoting positive attitudes towards contraception. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for accessible and comprehensive healthcare services, as well as the availability of a variety of contraceptive methods to support effective family planning.

Knowledge of Contraceptive Usage and Cultural Influence on Adoption of Family Planning Information in Cross River State

This study investigated Knowledge of contraceptive use and cultural influence and adoption of family planning information in Cross River State. The main objectives of the study were to determine how religion influence family planning, Find out how knowledge of contraceptive use influence family planning among rural women, and how culture influences family planning among rural women. Three research questions were raised to guide the study. The study adopted a descriptive research design and a sample size of 365 rural women was drawn from 16 primary health care centers in the Northern senatorial district of cross river state. A structured questionnaire and structural interview were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson moment product. The result of the study reveals that more of the Christian rural women 60%’ participated in the study, a good number of the women have knowledge of contraceptive use, and knowledge of contraceptives has a relationship with Family planning N=365, r = .914**, p<.005, culture has a highly significant influence on family planning information of rural women N=365, r=.754**, p<.05. thus, it was concluded that more information should be given to rural women on the need for family planning and both religion and culture should be enlightened on the importance of family planning. It is recommended that more sensitization programs should be carried on in the different rural communities.

Pengetahuan Ibu dan Kepatuhan Ibu tentang Penggunaan Kontrasepsi di Masa Pandemi

ABSTRACTBackground: The world's population continues to grow, Indonesia is also predicted in 2025-2035 to be the fourth most populous country in the world. For this reason, it is necessary to control the rate of population growth through the family planning program using contraception. During the pandemic, it had several impacts, especially for the Family Planning (KB) program, namely: a decrease in family planning participants. Ultimately it will affect family planning services and membership. Family planning participants during a pandemic were afraid to make repeat visits because of their limited knowledge of family planning during a pandemic.Research objectives for the relationship between mother's knowledge about contraception and adherence to contraceptive use during the pandemic.Subjects and Methods This research uses non-experimental research with an observational research design that aims to analyze a relationship between variables. This type of research uses cross sectional. The sampling technique in this study was simple random sampling. The subjects in this study were mothers who used contraception in Delanggu Village as many as 55 acceptors.Results: Based on the research, it can be found that out of 55 respondents, the majority of respondents have knowledge about contraceptive use in the good category, namely 26 respondents (47.48%). 30 respondents (54.5%) were obedient in using contraception, it was found that there was a significant relationship between mothers' knowledge about contraceptive use and adherence to contraceptive use during a pandemic with a p value = <0.001.Conclusion: Mother's knowledge of contraceptive use during a pandemic is good, adherence to contraceptive repeat visits during a pandemic is good and there is a significant relationship between maternal knowledge and maternal compliance in contraceptive services (p <0.001).Keywords: contraception, pandemic, compliance, knowledge, Covid19

Contraceptive use among people living with HIV and AIDS from selected communities in Siteki, Eswatini

Eswatini is among the countries with the highest prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) with a prevalence of 26% among sexually active adults. Strong reproductive health services including the use and provision of contraceptives are necessary to improve sexual health especially with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA). The study aimed to determine the socio-demographic characteristics, the preferred types of contraceptives, experiences with contraceptive use and the factors that influenced access to contraceptives for PLWHA in the selected communities. This quantitative survey used a structured, self-administered questionnaire to collect data from PLWHA aged 21-49 who are registered in support groups with the Swaziland AIDS Support Organization (SASO). The findings revealed that 82.3% of the respondents were using contraceptives and among these 69% were using barrier methods that could prevent both pregnancy and HIV infection. There were 11% of the respondents who did not desire to have children but were not using contraceptives. Generally, knowledge of contraceptive use was high and all the respondents knew that they must use condoms or dual methods to ensure safer sex and the prevention of a pregnancy. The findings of this study should assist health promoters in designing and implementing interventions that would address the barriers to contraceptive use among PLWHA.

Use of contraceptives by Roma women from Plovdiv region.

The share of unwanted pregnancies and voluntary abortions among women from Central and Eastern Europe is still quite high, and Bulgaria is no exception to this statistic. This might be accounted for by the low frequency of use of contraceptives or their improper use. Our country is home to a variety of ethnic groups, with Roma being one of the most numerous, ranking third in population behind Bulgarians and Turks. This determines the influence of this ethnic group on the demographic indicators of the country.

Pregnancy coercion and partner knowledge of contraceptive use among Ethiopian women

ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between pregnancy coercion and partner knowledge of contraceptive use. Study designCross-sectional Performance Monitoring for Action-Ethiopia data were collected in October-November 2019 from a nationally representative sample of women ages 15 to 49. The analytical sample (n = 2,469) included partnered women using contraception in the past year. We used multinomial logistic regression to examine associations between past-year pregnancy coercion (none, less severe, more severe) and partner knowledge/couple discussion of contraceptive use (overt use with couple discussion before method initiation (reference group), overt use with discussion after method initiation, and covert use of contraception). ResultsMost women reported their partner knew they were using contraception and had discussed use prior to method initiation (1,837/2,469, 75%); 16% used overtly and discussed use after method initiation, and 7% used contraception covertly. The proportion of covert users increased with pregnancy coercion severity (4%none, 14%less severe, 31%more severe), as did the proportion of overt users who delayed couple contraceptive discussions, (14%none, 23%less severe, 26% more severe); however, overt use with couple discussion before method initiation decreased with pregnancy coercion severity (79%none, 60%less severe, 40%more severe). The risk of covert use among women experiencing less severe pregnancy coercion was four times greater than women who experienced no pregnancy coercion (adjusted relative risk ratio, (aRRR) = 3.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.20–7.09) and ten times greater for women who experienced the most severe pregnancy coercion (aRRR = 10.42, 95% CI 6.14–17.71). The risk of overt use with delayed couple discussion also increased two-fold among women who experienced pregnancy coercion compared to those who did not (less severe aRRR = 2.05, 95% CI 1.39–2.99; more severe aRRR = 2.89, 95% CI 1.76–4.73). ConclusionWhen experiencing pregnancy coercion, women may avoid or delay contraceptive conversations with their partners. Increased pregnancy coercion severity has the greatest association with covert use and couple contraceptive discussions. ImplicationsThe presence and timing of couple discussions about contraception are critical for ensuring safety for women experiencing pregnancy coercion. Screening for pregnancy coercion must be included within contraceptive counseling so that women can choose methods that maximize their reproductive autonomy.

Knowledge and use of contraceptives among adolescents in Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria

Background: Adolescence is a period of life marked by physical and psychological changes, experiences, desires, behavior, and sexuality. Globally, adolescents have been reported to engage in early sexual activities and at early age while many indulge in unprotected sex (Durowade, Babatunde,et al, 2017). Unprotected sex exposes adolescents to adverse outcomes such as unplanned pregnancy, pregnancy related risks, sexually transmitted illnesses, unsafe abortion and human immunodeficiency virus infection (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). All these negative outcomes can be averted with the proper use of contraceptives. This study therefore intends to determine the knowledge and use of contraceptives among adolescents in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. Methodology: Six hundred male and female adolescents aged 12 to 19 years and in- school students of Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria completed an anonymous survey that assessed their knowledge, sources of knowledge and attitudes towards contraception. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 21.0. The results were presented in frequencies and percentages. Chi-square test of association was used to test knowledge of contraceptive use and other variables. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with contraceptive use with 95% confidence interval. Variables with ρ-value less than 0.05 were considered as significantly associated with contraceptive use. Findings: The mean age of participants was 15.2 years. Knowledge of contraceptive was statistically significant with age (0.004), type of school (0.006) and year of study (0.006). The sources of knowledge about contraception for the adolescents were mostly friends (38.7%), parents (25.8%) and mass media (14.8%). The most known contraceptive is the condom (82.5%). 41.7% of the adolescents have been involved in sexual activities out of which 53.2% did not use contraceptives during the last time of intercourse.

Knowledge and Practice of Contraceptives among High School Learners in Raymond Mhlaba Municipality

ABSTRACT Three in every ten teenagers fall pregnant before they reach the age of twenty. Unplanned pregnancy is a major concern in South Africa. Unplanned pregnancies are due to non-use/utilization of contraceptives. Early parenthood leads to teenage mothers dropping out of school and fifty percent of them do not graduate from high school. The knowledge and awareness of contraceptive use are known to be moderate, and as a result unplanned pregnancies have become the norm. Understanding the reasons behind the discontinuation and non-utilization of contraceptives may assist in future interventions, aimed at maintaining and curbing the unabated rise in prevalence rate of unplanned pregnancies. Objectives of the study are: to analyze the knowledge, attitude, and practice of contraceptives among high school learners in some selected schools in Raymond Mhlaba municipality, and additionally test the statistical association between some risk factors (gender, grade, religion, relationship status, knowledge of contraception, sexually active, friends practice contraception, father educational status, mother educational status, who learner stays with) and contraception. The study adopted a cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative study design. A sample size of 144 high school learners participated in the study through a self-administered questionnaire. Purposive sampling was used to select participants. Respondents were selected from two high schools within Raymond Mhlaba municipality. Chi-square test of association was used to test the relationship between contraception and some selected risk factors using SPSS. The findings of the study revealed that about 64.58 percent learners were sexually active, and 54.86 percent reported using contraceptives. The most commonly used methods of contraception were oral contraceptives at 1.39 percent, and 33.33 percent for male condoms. Female learners mostly used condoms at eighty-four percent (84%), and injectable at 20.14 percent as methods of contraception. The knowledge of contraceptive use (65.28%) enhanced learners in preventing sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancy. Chi-square test of independence showed that mother’s level of education, being sexual active, having friends who use contraceptives, and being in a relationship have a strong association with contraceptive use. Conclusively, the study’s findings show that knowledge of contraceptive use among high school learners is high, and use and practice of the knowledge is high with only fifteen percent (15%) of the sexual active learners declining to use contraceptives. From this study, effect of knowledge on contraceptives use is poor. Interventions from the parents and health care workers should stress the importance of consistent use of contraceptives, especially condoms, as they do not prevent not only pregnancy but also sexually transmitted diseases.

Latent and Under-explored Determinants of Contraceptive Use in Nigeria

The Nigerian population policy targeted a 30.2% prevalence of modern contraceptives among its population by the year 2015. In spite of the widespread knowledge of contraceptive use among the population, the prevalence stood at 12% in 2018. This study, riding on several previous studies on the determinants of contraceptive use in Nigeria, investigates the latent and under-explored determinants against the background that what is known has not significantly translated to the realization of the country’s population policy targets. Using data on 27,274 married and in-union women aged 15–49 from the 2013 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey, the relationships between sex preference, family composition, intimate partner violence, and coital frequency and contraceptive use were analyzed using bivariate statistics and logistic regression. The prevalence of contraceptive use was 9.9%, and in both the unadjusted and adjusted regression models with other known sociodemographic confounders of contraceptive use, family composition, and active coital frequency predicted increased odds of utilization (P < 0.001). Preference for sons was latent and implicated in family composition and contraceptive use. The study concludes that ethnic differences and cultural attributes of the ethnic groups which underlie issues of family composition should be given prominence in efforts at scaling up contraceptive use in Nigeria. With the findings from this study, population control policies in Nigeria and efforts at scaling up contraceptive utilization in particular, should be tailor-made to accommodate ethnic differences and inherent cultural attributes of the more than 380 ethnic groups in the country as this was found to underlie fertility preferences and how family composition is viewed.

Intimate partner violence, pregnancy intention and contraceptive use in Honduras

Objective(s)We explored the relationship between Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), pregnancy intention and contraceptive use in Honduras. Study designWe used the most recent Honduras Demographic and Health Survey (DHS 2011–2012) data to examine the relationship between physical IPV, sexual IPV and emotional IPV with pregnancy intention; contraceptive use; and husband's knowledge of contraceptive use among a sample of 6629 women. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate effects of IPV on the outcomes, controlling for empowerment indicators and socio-demographic variables. ResultsAmong currently married women with at least one living child born within the past 5 years, IPV was significantly associated with several outcomes. Women reporting any physical IPV (13.5%) were less likely to have wanted their last child (aOR: 0.52, p<.001) or to desire future children (aOR: 0.76, p=.002), and more likely to have ever used contraception (aOR: 2.32 p=.004). Those reporting physical with sexual violence (4.1%) were less likely to have wanted their last child (aOR: 0.59, p=.016). Women reporting emotional IPV (27.4%) were less likely to have wanted their last child (aOR: 0.56, p<.001) or to desire more children (aOR: 0.81, p<.001) and more likely to have ever used (aOR: 1.78, p<.001) and currently be using contraception (aOR: 1.19, p=.006). Conclusion(s)IPV was associated with both unwanted pregnancy and increased contraceptive use among married Honduran women. Universal screening for IPV among women who seek SRH services in Honduras may help identify women in need and reduce stigma around IPV while improving SRH outcomes. ImplicationsHonduran women exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) were more likely to have ever used contraception yet more likely to report an unwanted pregnancy. Universal screening for IPV among women seeking sexual and reproductive health services may help identify women in need and reduce stigma around IPV while improving outcomes.

Trends in contraceptive demands and unmet need for family planning in migrant population of Uttarakhand

Background: The knowledge of contraceptive use and unmet need is important to know the constraints for unmet need based on user perspective. The aim of the study was to find the prevalence of Contraceptive use, Contraceptive preferred and the Un-met demand for contraceptives. Methods: Married, non-pregnant women of reproductive age group (15-49 years) from the migrant population were interviewed by Census method using pre-designed and pre-tested instrument by cross-sectional survey. Operational definitions for unmet need for spacing, limiting and unfelt need used in the study were as per NFHS -4 findings and traditional methods of contraception like abstinence, withdrawal were included in Un-met need for contraceptive due to its very high failure rate. Results: 58.44% study subjects had ‘Ever Used FP’ and 56.78% are currently using FP methods. The CPR is 56.7% by ‘Any Method’ and 43.0% by ‘Modern method’. The method which is most popular is ‘Sterlisation 29% and 20.96% and ‘Others’ i.e. highly unreliable methods like coitus interruptus, calendar method etc. found high number of users. The reasons for non use were apprehension of complication/side effects in 39%) and inconvenience or the difficulties with modern contraceptive methods or lack of knowledge by 7.67% and 6.95% respectively, 16% were relied on traditional methods, such as periodic abstinence, withdrawal and herbal mixtures from traditional healers as well as LAM 8% for a FP method, all of which have high failure rate. Only 24.8% Women were decision maker regarding the time and type of contraceptive to be used. The unmet need was 29.7% out of which the unmet needs for spacing and limiting were 9.6 per cent and 20.1 per cent, respectivelyConclusions: The unmet need is high and can be addressed by removing the constraints such as poor accessibility to the knowledge thus removing apprehension for side effects, improve accessibility to resources and low decision-making autonomy.

Sociocultural Factors Influencing Grand Multiparous Practices in Ibadan, Nigeria

Grand multiparous (GMP) women are susceptible to higher risk of developing obstetric complications compared to women of lesser parity. Despite the health consequences on women with high parity, the prevalence rate of multiparity in Nigeria is still high. This study documented the sociocultural factors influencing the GMP practices in Ibadan, Nigeria. Through a multi-stage sampling procedure, and snowballing technique, data were collected through questionnaire from 422 GMP women in six purposively selected rural wards in Akinyele Local Government Area. Qualitative data were elicited through 12 Key informant interviews and six sessions of Focus Group Discussions. The age of respondents was 43.3 years ±1.2 and 41.4% had secondary education. More than half (67%) of the respondents were reportedly influenced to practice GMP, for predominant reasons as couples’ desire for more children (24%), lack in knowledge of contraceptive use (27.0%) and desire for particular sex of child (22.2%). However, the data revealed that majority of the respondents did not want to give birth up to five children. GMP is perceived to be rooted in the cultural values of the respondents and therefore inevitable. Health education and enlightenment programs about ideal family size and its essence are recommended to reduce GMP practices.

CONOCIMIENTO Y USO DE ANTICONCEPTIVOS. APTITUD FAMILIAR Y FECUNDIDAD EN LA POBLACION FEMENINA DE TRUJILLO

Con el propósito de determinar el conocimiento del uso de anticonceptivos, su uso y aptitud familiar, se ha encuestado a 400 pacientes en forma alternada, en una muestra representativa de pacientes que acudieron al Hospital General Base Centro de Salud Docente de Trujillo desde Noviembre de 1977 hasta Agosto de 1978. No es posible sacar conclusiones definitivas a partir de una encuesta; pero, se puede aseverar que estamos frente a un cambio de actitud en las mujeres, quienes en la actualidad tienen más interés en controlar el número de hijos con espaciamiento de ellos. La muestra acusa predominio de pacientes casadas con 2.73 en hijos, por paciente, de bajo ingreso económico semanal y sin deseo de tener más hijos. Un alto porcentaje ignora el uso de anticonceptivos. El conocimiento de anticonceptivos depende en gran parte del grado de instrucción, del ingreso económico y del estado civil. El método tradicional del ritmo, es el más usado y conocido. De los métodos modernos, el uso de pastillas es el más difundido, pero no es muy conocido su empleo. La familia numerosa ocasiona alto porcentaje de problemas económicos, educacionales y de salud. La población en estudio no esté motivada para hacer inversiones en Educación y Salud.

Knowledge and use of family planning methods and services in west Yimbo division, Bondo district, western Kenya

The Government of Kenya, nongovernmental organizations, and donors are dedicated to promoting and improving easily accessible, affordable, acceptable, and effective family planning methods. These efforts have apparently paid off as recent demographic, health, and fertility surveys show that knowledge of contraceptive use is nearly universal, and that over 90% of men and women are aware of at least one family planning method. However, the unmet need for contraception remains at approximately 26% in Kenya, suggesting that the right of Kenyan couples to access sufficient information concerning their preferred birth control method and the actual use of such methods have not been fully realized. This study focused on a cohort of women utilizing health facilities in West Yimbo Division, western Kenya. We concluded that cultural beliefs that equate family planning methods with interference in fecundity and fertility may argue against the use of these methods in the long term. Moreover, the desire to give birth and nurture children, fear of side effects, bride wealth presentations, and disapproval by couples and others may be stumbling blocks to contraceptive use in the study region.

Factors affecting hormonal and non hormonal contraceptive method use in women presenting to Reproductive Health Services-A Centers (RHS-A) of Karachi

Fertility is an important predictor of maternal mortality: high fertility levels being associated with high maternal mortality. Factors like use of contraception, fertility preferences are empirically shown to influence fertility levels. Choosing a method of birth control, its effectiveness and safety are the key considerations. Objectives of the study were to determine the proportion of women using hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptive methods among modern contraceptive users and to determine factors associated with use of hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptive methods. This was a Cross sectional study conducted on women of 15-49 years of age who were continuously and consistently using a modern contraceptive method for at least last three months. Women were selected by convenient sampling technique from four family planning centers located in Karachi. Women who refused to participate or those women who had language problem were excluded from the study. Information was gathered regarding demographic and socioeconomic status, previous pregnancies, health concerns, previous knowledge of contraceptives and husband's approval. After adjusting for other variables in the model, it was found that with every one year increase in age of women the odds of hormonal use decreased (OR 0.91; 95% CI 0.88, 0.93). It was also found that with every one additional child in the family, the odds of hormonal use decreased (OR 0.79; 95% CI 0.73, 0.86). Women whose husbands approved of contraception were found at lesser odds of hormonal use (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.25, 0.73). Women whose source of knowledge of contraceptives were family and friends were also found at decreased odds of hormonal use (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.45, 0.92). Women with health concerns were found at elevated odds of hormonal use (OR 1.70; 95% CI 1.32, 2.19). The hormonal user in our study is a young woman of 29 years of age, with an average of four pregnancies and same number of living children, who does not require her husband's approval for contraceptive use. Her existing knowledge of contraceptive use is influenced by family and friends who is not in favor hormonal use. She is concerned about her health related to her current contraceptive method. Media has little role for dissemination of information regarding contraceptives.

Unsafe Induced Abortions Among Adolescent Girls in Lusaka

Our aim in this study was to describe adolescent girls’ circumstances underlying the decision to resort to unsafe induced abortions. Thirty-four Zambian girls aged 13 to 19 years admitted to University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka were interviewed using a semistructured questionnaire with both closed and open-ended questions. Results revealed that most of the girls were single, in school, reached higher grades, mainly nulliparous, and had very low knowledge of contraceptive use. Reasons given for performing unsafe abortions were fear of facing personal shame and social stigma following premarital pregnancies, such as parental disapproval, abandonment by partner, and expulsion from school. A blend of traditional and modern methods and medicines were used to abort. Limited access to contraception and the stigma attached to premarital pregnancies and abortions are likely to continue to compel girls to rely on clandestine abortions if comprehensive adolescent reproductive health services are not provided. The necessity to give adolescent girls more attention and advocacy is obvious.

Fertility and Family Planning in Rural Northern Thailand

From the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s, when fertility was declining in Thailand as a whole, especially rapid declines occurred in Northern Thailand, but they did not occur uniformly in all the region's provinces. The Northern Thailand Fertility Study, initiated in 1975 to study the reported fertility changes, gathered data in two provinces: Chiang Mai, where fertility decline has been quite rapid, and Chiang Rai, which experienced relatively little decline until 1974. This preliminary report discusses fertility levels and trends in the two provinces, fertility experience and expectations of respondents, attitudes toward and knowledge of family planning, and contraceptive practice. The results suggest that most of the difference in fertility decline is related to the different level of family planning program activity in the two provinces.Substantial declines in Thai fertility levels coincide with a marked increase in family planning activity, both public--the National Family Planning Program, announced in 1970--and private--e.g., McCormick Hospital Program, started in Chiang Mai in 1963. Regional and changwat (provincial) differentials in rate of fertility decline have been observed. In Chiang Mai changwat, for example, where efforts began in 1963, there has been a more rapid decline than in Chiang Rai, where family planning was introduced only in 1970. The Study of Social and Psychological Barriers to the Adoption of Family Planning in Rural Northern Thailand (The Northern Thailand Fertility Study, NTFS) was an attempt to identify the reasons for this differential and the relationship of family planning activities to fertility decline. A random sample was drawn from each of 190 rural villages chosen randomly from Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. All ever-married women aged 15-44 and husbands of currently married women were interviewed from September 1976 to February 1977. Response rates were 88.5% of 1921 women and 80.5% of 1615 men. Interviewers were mostly students from Chiang Mai University, intensively trained and closely supervised. Substantial declines in age-specific fertility rates occurred in both changwats between 1968-1972 and 1973-1976, with the Chaing Rai fertility level lagging about 5 years behind that of Chiang Mai. In both changwats, expectations of and desire for large families have virtually disappeared although Chaing Rai women expected larger families than Chiang Mai women. Infant mortality rates were lower in Chiang Mai due to improved MCH services. While the reported rates of induced abortion were low for both provinces, indications are that the actual rates are about 3 times higher for Chiang Mai -- in line with the lower fertility performance and desires reported there. Attitudes toward family planning were favorable in both changwats but knowledge of contraceptive use was greater in Chiang Mai. Statistics of contraceptive use correlated to levels of knowledge and to activities of family planning programs. The article concludes that nearly all of the fertility declines observed are the result of organized family planning activities.