Page 189 - GHES-3-2

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Post-partum modern contraceptive use in Pakistan

“Good Health and Well-being of Women and Children.” The 1 year after childbirth (Blazer & Prata, 2016). Moreover,
st
United Nations has established worldwide goals to lower the women who do not use contraceptives may have a twofold
maternal mortality ratio (MMR) to 70/100,000 live births increased risk of maternal death compared with users
for Target 3.1. By adopting modern contraception methods (Bansal et al., 2022).
for family planning and birth spacing, individuals can This research is particularly relevant in the context of
contribute to achieving Goal 3 of the SDGs Agenda 2030 SDG 3, which prioritizes the health and well-being of
(Stenberg et al., 2021). women and children. This progress may be attributed to

MCH services are analyzed through the antenatal care international, national, and regional initiatives for the
that women receive, delivery in the healthcare facility, underprivileged and marginalized populations. In the
tetanus injections during pregnancy, and checkups past 10 years, the MMR has declined from 276 deaths to
after delivery (i.e., post-natal care). Meanwhile, child an average of 186 deaths/100,000 live births in Pakistan
healthcare is analyzed through the provision of complete (Chistie et al., 2021). Similarly, in children aged <5 years,
immunization. Frequent visits to healthcare facilities enable the mortality rate (U5MR) declined from 87.1 deaths/1000
women to become familiar with and adopt early initiation live births to 67.2 deaths/1000 live births in the past 10 years
of post-partum contraception (Dutamo, 2015). The (Sharrow et al., 2022). However, the neonatal mortality rate
contraceptive prevalence rate is the percentage of women (NMR) has declined from 50 deaths/1000 live births to 40.4
who use any method for spacing or limiting the birth and for deaths/1000 live births in the past 5 years. Therefore, initial
avoiding unintended pregnancies. These family planning post-partum contraception plays a vital role in lowering the
methods are further divided into traditional and modern NMR.
contraceptives. Modern methods include male and female An understanding of the dual functions of MCH services
sterilization, condoms, intrauterine contraceptive devices, justifies this study. These services enhance the health of
pills, and injectables. Traditional methods include rhythm, both mothers and children by offering essential medical
withdrawal, etc. treatment during and after pregnancy. Furthermore,

High maternal and infant mortality rates are attributed they act as a crucial platform for early contraception
to the inadequacy of many developing nations in providing instruction and encouragement, which helps reduce the
universal coverage for the most crucial reproductive, risks associated with closely spaced pregnancies. The study
maternal, and child health interventions (Hotchkiss et aimed to close a knowledge gap by examining how MCH
al., 2005; Owusu et al., 2021). Most women in developing service consumption affects contraceptive behavior among
countries do not initiate contraception, which causes married women aged 15 – 49 years, particularly given
unintended pregnancy (Bellizzi et al., 2020). Recent that Pakistan continues to face challenges in achieving
research indicated that women who receive MCH services universal reproductive healthcare coverage.
are more likely to use contraceptives early in life (Kumar et Although previous research offers significant insights,
al., 2020; Kumar & Reshmi, 2022). A study also emphasized few studies have used nationally representative data to
the significance of utilizing MCH services for the early quantify the effect of MCH services on post-partum
adoption of contraception (Seiber et al., 2005). contraception in Pakistan. Most research tends to focus
Family planning programs that encourage the separately on MCH services or contraceptive use, leaving
utilization of modern contraceptives can lower the MMR a gap in understanding their connection. This emphasizes
in two ways. The first and more obvious effect is a decrease the importance of research like this one to close this gap
in the number of pregnancies resulting from increased and offer proof for focused interventions.
contraceptive use. However, the second effect involves The main objective of this study was to determine whether
reducing unsaved abortions. Reducing the number of the utilization of MCH services affects the utilization of
pregnancies lowers the risk of maternal death for women modern contraception within a year after childbirth. This
and reduces the overall number of fatalities (Bansal et al., study also aimed to analyze other sociodemographic factors
2022; Stover & Ross, 2010). Rising contraceptive use (as control variables) associated with the utilization of
lowers the average risk of mortality associated with each MCH services among married women in Pakistan.
pregnancy and delivery by preventing high-risk births.
The utilization of contraceptives is one of the significant 2. Methods
determinants of fertility decline, and it prevents unwanted
pregnancies (Ahmed et al., 2019). The utilization of 2.1. Data and variables
post-partum contraception is crucial for improved MCH This study uses data from the fourth round of the Pakistan
outcomes as it prevents unintended pregnancies during the Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS) conducted

Volume 3 Issue 2 (2025) 181 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.5090