Trends of Using Contraceptive Methods among Married Females of Reproductive Age Group in Village Mangokivirkan, District Gujranwala, Pakistan

Background: Use of contraceptives in developing countries is very low, particularly in Pakistan it is 34%. Objective: To study trends of contraceptive use among married females of reproductive age group in a rural area ofPakistan and to identify possible risk factors influencing the use of contraceptives among the sample population. Methods: It was a descriptive cross sectional study. A total of 213 married females of reproductive age wereincluded in the study and multistage cluster sampling technique was applied. Study variables included sociodemographic variables along with knowledge and practice of respondents regarding the use of contraceptives. Datacollection instrument was a self-developed questionnaire and data was collected from 220 females. Results: Mean age was 29.6±6.19 and only 38% were using contraceptive method and 62% were not using anycontraceptive method. Among the respondents 40% were counseled for Family Planning (FP) by some source.Highly significant association was found between contraceptive use and duration of marriage, decision making,family type, desired number of children, counseling for FP, in favor of FP, and number of children alive. Probableinfluencing predictors were found to be decision making of females, type of family, desired number of children,counseling for FP, and in favor of FP. Conclusion: FP counseling needs to be enhanced on war footing at all levels with due cooperation of communityparticipation.