FACTORS AFFECTING USE OF CONTRACEPTION IN MATLAB, BANGLADESH

This study examines the relationship between family planning, perceive d availability of contraceptives, and sociodemographic factors in rura l Bangladesh. Data are from the 1990 KAP survey in the Matlab treatmen t and comparison areas, using a sample of about 8500 married women of reproductive age. The contraceptive prevalence rate was 57% in the tre atment area but substantially lower in the comparison area where mainl y traditional methods of family planning were used by women who did no t know of a source of supply of contraceptives. Education has no effec t on contraceptive use in the treatment area but in the comparison are a, modest but consistent differentials in use by level of education we re found. Number of living children is the best predictor for contrace ptive use, followed by number of living sons, and the attitude of resp ondents and their husbands towards family planning.