Document Type

Report

Publication Date

2007

Abstract

In Pakistan, the contraceptive prevalence rate is 28 percent, unmet need for family planning services is 33 percent, and unwanted pregnancies are on the rise. A national study showed a fairly high induced abortion rate of 29 per 1,000 married women of reproductive age, and 1 out of 6 pregnancies resulted in induced abortion. This study explored how contraception and induced abortion are perceived as options for avoiding unwanted births by Pakistani men and women, to what extent they deliberately choose one over the other, and the language they use to talk about reproductive behavior decision-making. As noted in this report, the fieldwork was carried out in Tret, a rural area in Rawalpindi, Punjab province in 2006. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted. Despite the fact that women favored contraceptives more than induced abortion, they still opted for induced abortion. The reason was nonavailability of more effective contraceptive methods and lack of contraceptive knowledge. There are now two community health workers and a basic health unit in the community, and family planning services have begun to be provided.

DOI

10.31899/rh14.1084

Language

English

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