Open AccessKnowledge, attitudes and practices towards family planning among women in the rural southern region of Jordan
Author(s) -
Alia I. Mahadeen,
Asma Khalil,
Ayman M. HamdanMansour,
Tokiko Sato,
Atsuko Imoto
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
eastern mediterranean health journal/eastern mediterranean health journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.442
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1687-1634
pISSN - 1020-3397
DOI - 10.26719/2012.18.6.567
Subject(s) - family planning , pill , medicine , breastfeeding , developing country , rural area , family medicine , population , demography , socioeconomics , environmental health , research methodology , economic growth , nursing , pediatrics , sociology , pathology , economics
Data about family planning among women in rural and remote areas of Jordan are lacking. This study explored the prevalence of use and knowledge and attitudes towards family planning among rural Jordanian women. A descriptive study was conducted with 807 ever-married women aged 15-49 years in a household survey of 29 villages in the southern region of Jordan. The most common contraceptive methods ever used were oral contraceptive pills (31.1%); intrauterine device (24.8%) and withdrawal (19.5%). Of the women interviewed, 37% were currently using contraception. Being pregnant (11%) and breastfeeding (10%) were the most reported reasons for not using contraceptives. None of the women reported obtaining supplies or the cost of them as barriers, while opposition from husband or family members or religious reasons were reported by less than 1% of the women. About 95% of the women agreed that using family planning had positive advantages for health. The results highlight some educational needs among these women.