Page 193 - GHES-3-2

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

At the provincial level, modern contraceptives are less than younger women (aged 15 – 29), consistent with
likely used by women in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, previous findings (Jejeebhoy et al., 2019; Kumar et al., 2020).
and Balochistan than by those in Punjab who prefer using Women who gave birth in the 5 years preceding the
modern contraceptive methods to not using any method.
survey were asked if they desired their most recent child
Compared with young women, middle-aged women at the time of delivery, later on, or not at all. Because an
are more likely to adopt modern contraceptive methods unanticipated pregnancy increases a woman’s awareness,
than non-users. Women who had secondary or higher early initiation of modern contraceptive methods was
educational attainment are more likely to use modern found to significantly positively affect all three models
contraceptives. Specifically, for each 1-unit increase in among women who reported having an unplanned delivery.
educational attainment up to secondary level and higher, A notable distinction in the early uptake of modern
there would be 0.3- and 0.44-unit increases in the adoption contraceptive methods was observed between women from
of modern contraceptive methods compared with never- the wealthiest and the poorest backgrounds. Women from
users. Women with high educational attainment may have
better abilities to express their fertility desires or may the low-income group were unable to adopt sterilization,
have received proper health education and services from which was associated with government incentive programs,
providers (Dixit et al., 2017). Table 3 shows that working or pay for the expense of modern spacing techniques once
women are more likely to use contraceptive methods than they reached the required family size. The study found a
non-working ones relative to non-users, holding other strong correlation between the early commencement of
variables constant. modern contraceptive use after childbirth and exposure to
electronic mass media, such as radio and television.
4. Discussion This study also found a notable difference in the
Based on a sample of married women aged 15 – 49 years utilization of modern contraceptive techniques between
who gave birth in the 5 years preceding the survey, the study rural and urban areas, which likely indicates that women
examined the effects of maternal healthcare consumption living in rural areas are still not receiving sufficient
on modern contraceptive usage within the 12-month post- information and services about contraception. Women
partum period in Pakistan. In Pakistan, the proportion of residing in Punjab used more modern methods than
married women who use contraception is still far lower those in other regions of the country. The findings of the
than that in neighboring nations. The adoption of modern multinomial logistic model show that the utilization of
contraceptive methods is positively and significantly MCH, age, place of residence, region, and wealth quintile
affected by the utilization of MCH services. were the most important factors in predicting whether
or not Pakistani women will adopt contraception (Iqbal
This study found that women who utilize MCH services
are more likely to avail of modern contraceptive methods, et al., 2017; Woldemicael & Tenkorang, 2010). However,
which shows a positive and highly significant association women who received appropriate maternity healthcare
with the uptake of modern contraception methods demonstrated a higher prevalence of utilizing modern
(Alhassan et al., 2020). Women who utilize healthcare contraceptives, indicating that the utilization of maternal
services are more likely to interact with healthcare healthcare is a significant predictor.
practitioners, increasing their exposure to information 5. Conclusion and recommendations
regarding family planning methods (Ahmed et al., 2019;
Alhassan et al., 2020). This could be an explanation for Based on the results, the study recommended that the
the association. Following this exposure, they might be government should overcome the structural barriers
inspired and empowered to use various contraceptive through programs strengthening the coverage and quality
forms. The results of the study also revealed that the of MCH. In addition, MCH services must be sensitized
utilization of modern contraceptives has a positive and about the pivotal role that modern contraceptive use
significant relationship with the desire for another child. plays in MCH, particularly in low-resource settings. The
If a mother wanted a child later, then women would use low adoption of modern contraceptives in Pakistan could
modern contraception to meet their desire. be due to the illiteracy of women, low uptake of MCH
services, and more desire for children.
In Pakistan, women who used modern contraceptive
methods were favorably correlated with maternal age, higher The results of the study indicate the need to step up
education levels, coming from wealthier quantiles, and outreach initiatives to support female education, expand
working. The results show that older women (aged 35 – 39) female career prospects, and stop unwanted pregnancies.
in Pakistan are more likely to take modern contraceptives By doing so, women would make knowledgeable decisions

Volume 3 Issue 2 (2025) 185 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.5090