Knowledge, attitude and practice of family planning among women in Basrah City South of Iraq

Abstract EN

Objectives : to estimate the prevalence of contraceptive use, and investigate the factors associated with knowledge, attitudes and practices of family planning.

Method : A cross sectional, household multi-stage sampling.

A sample of 900 currently married non pregnant women aged 15-49 years were selected from 30 household clusters in Basrah city, south of Iraq.

Results : current prevalence of contraceptive use (any method) among 900 non-pregnant women was 53.7 %, use of modern methods was 37 % and traditional methods was 16.7 %.

The use of traditional methods of contraceptives was significantly associated with older age, higher educational level.

The main cause for not using contraceptives was health reasons.

Husband's objection and cost of contraceptives also had role in nonuse of contraception methods.

Conclusions : the rate of use of contraceptives was low for both any method and for modern types.

The pill was the most popular method of contraceptives and the next more popular method was the withdrawal method.

The study reveals good knowledge about family planning.

Recommendations : establishment of sensitive and modern family planning services through all primary health care services in all districts of Basrah.

Increase Community awareness of family planning and the advantages of child spacing through mass media, Coordination between public and private sector to provide adequate family planning services and supplies and Policy-makers and health providers should target men since they are primary decision-makers in the home.