Knowledge and Practice Towards Family Planning Among Reproductive Age Women in Herat City - Afghanistan

Abstract

Objective: Family planning, general fertility rate, and total fertility rate are the first three determinants of maternal health in Afghanistan. This study assessed knowledge, practice, and predictors of contraceptive use among women of reproductive age in Herat city of Afghanistan. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted among 1,610 women who were selected by a convenient sampling technique. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors related to the current use of any family planning methods among participants. Results: The mean age of participants was 30.3 +/- 6.9 years, mean age of participants at first marriage was 17.6 +/- 3.6 years. The first three information sources about contraceptives were family members (35.5%), television (26.4%), and health staff (19.9%). The most common types of contraceptives (used by the participants) were combined oral contraceptives (18.1%), male condom (17.6%), and withdrawal methods (17.5%). Logistic regression analyses showed that adolescent age increased the risk by 2,159 [95% confidence interval (CI) (1,238-3,765); p=0.007], high parity (>= 4) increased the risk by 1,525 [95% CI (1,162-2,002); p=0.002], husband who was unemployed increased the risk by 1.764 [95% CI (1,221-2,549); p=0.003], and lack of knowledge about family planning methods increased the risk by 11,674 [95% CI (7,067-19,285); p<0.001], in terms of not using any family planning methods. Conclusion: We found that the use of any family planning method was low in risk groups. It is critical for health policymakers, healthcare workers, and family members to support and educate women, especially those in the risk group, about the benefit of family planning methods for their family and society.