Abstract:
This study examines the determinants and prevalence of contraceptive use among married women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in three villages of Punakha District, Bhutan. It uses primary quantitative data obtained from the survey of 215 married women through structured questionnaires. The data was analyzed based on study objectives by using descriptive statistical analysis with SPSS (version 10.0): Frequencies and percentage were used to describe the use of contraceptives; Chi-square test was used to demonstrate the relationship between independent and dependent variables. Result showed that prevalence of contraceptive use was (53.4%) out of which 47.2% used modern contraceptive methods and 6.2% applies to traditional methods. Commonly used contraceptive was found to be injection (38.3%), followed by IUD (20.6%). Main reasons for not using contraceptive were want for more children (35.4%) and lactating (40.2%). Some women felt shy (2.4) to use contraceptives. This study also shows that there was no involvement of mother/mother in-laws in family planning decision-making unlike other Asian countries. Chi-square analyses demonstrate that the factors that most influence a women use of contraceptives include women age, knowledge on contraceptives and its methods, occupation, income, information on the contraceptive service, availability of the method of choice, desire to become pregnant, child's gender preference and family planning decision making. This study may be generalized for the Punakha District and it may assist the local authorities to develop appropriate family planning programs for Punakha District
