Causes and Policy Recommendations for Low Contraceptive use in Pakistan

Abstract

According to Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (2012-13), Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world with existing level of unmet demand for family planning services being as high as 20%; however, the Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) continues to remain lowest in the region of South Asia. This study is undertaken to analyse the factors that hinders the translation of fertility desires into real contraceptive behaviour. It will first examine the existing literature on the issue to analyse the trends in contraceptive use with respect to various background characteristics such as place of residence, level of education and provincial affiliation. The results of research indicate that contraceptive use differentials have reduced with respect to the variables named above, owing to the success of Lady Health Worker (LHW) programme. However, various other socio-economic and psychological factors such as opposition from husbands and mother in laws, fear of side effects and supply side difficulties as indicated by previous studies on same subject continues to hinder the use of contraceptives in the country.