Determinants of contraceptive choice among married women in Cambodia

Abstract

Family planning and modern contraceptive services have been available in Cambodia since 1991. However, current total fertility rate (TFR) of Cambodian women is about 2.7, which is higher than the world's TFR average (2.6) and also the highest among Southeast Asian countries. This results in a small modern contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR). This study aimed to investigate factors affecting current contraceptive choice among married women in Cambodia. The study relied on secondary data from the 2014 Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey (CDHS). The sample size comprised 2,388 cases of married women, aged 15-49 years. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regressions were employed to analyze the raw data. Results from the study indicated that women were more likely to be nonusers (OR=1.05) and to use traditional contraceptive methods (OR=1.04) compared with modern contraception users when their age increased one year. Those who attended a longer time of education were more likely to use traditional contraception (OR=1.06) compared with those using modern contraception. Women were more likely to use traditional contraception compared with modern contraception when the FP decision making was made by their husband (OR=1.68). Furthermore, women tended to choose contraceptive methods (modern or traditional method) when they received information about FP methods from their community than those who did not. This study confirmed that to promote modern contraceptive method, FP workers and policy makers should improve FP counseling service including information regarding the high effectiveness of modern contraception, encourage women to be decision makers on FP by providing FP knowledge and encourage women to negotiate about using modern contraception. Strengthening comprehensive information using community-based activities could help women to make appropriate choices in using modern contraception methods.