ABSTRACT

Objective: To assess the associated factors with the utilization of family planning services among postpartum women in Pakistan.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Family Medicine Department, [name of the hosp] between January 2019 to December 2019 for a duration of 12 months. All women who had delivered within the last 12 months and presented to the department of family medicine were included in the study.A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data from the patients. Data regarding socio demographics and the utilization of the family planning services acquired by the clients were recorded. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 24.

Results: A total of 1280 women presented to the family medicine clinic during the 10 month long study. Out of these, only 88 (6.8%) were on a follow-up visit. The mean age of women in our study was 26.54 ± 12.4 years. Age between 21-25 years was significantly associated with utilization of contraceptives (p=0.01). Education of women and her husband both significantly correlated with her utilization of family planning services in our study (p=0.001). Women whose husbands were posted abroad more frequently utilized contraceptives compared to other women (p<0.001).

Conclusion:

Utilization of family planning services by postpartum women with a child of less than 6 months old was not very satisfactory. Age, education level, and occupation were strong indicators of postpartum decisions of women utilizing family planning services in Pakistan.

Keywords: Contraceptives, family planning, combined oral contraceptive pills, progesterone only pills, pregnancy, tubal ligation