Contraceptive Methods;

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the knowledge, prevalence and factors associated with practice of modern contraceptive methodsamong currently married males of reproductive age group (20-49years) in soldier bazaar Karachi Pakistan. Period and Setting: The study wascarried out in Karachi in 2010 in area of soldier bazaar. Methods: In person interviews were carried out with150 males (Aged 20-49) fromdifferent areas of Soldier Bazaar which were taken randomly. Data was collected regarding socio-demographic features, reproductive profile,family size, knowledge, and practices of family planning services and reasons for non-use of contraception. Results: The half of respondentshas knowledge about condom (52%), IUCD (44.6%), Oral pills (43.7%), injection (41.3%) and tubal ligation (32.6%). Knowledge aboutwithdrawal and male sterilization (vasectomy) which are male contraceptive methods is low. Only 19.3% respondents know about all themethods and another 9.3% do not know about any method.32% respondents showed willingness to undergo vasectomy as compared to 68%who are not willing for the procedure.8% of the respondents use some of family planning methods 30% of respondents (and their wives) did notuse any contraceptive method because they want more children. Surprisingly 3.5% respondents among non-users did not know about thefamily planning methods. Educational level has shown direct relationship with knowledge and practice of family planning. Conclusions:Prevalence of male contraceptive methods along with knowledge of other methods is found very low and has direct relation with attitude andpractice of family planning, not only among themselves but also on the adoption of contraceptive measures of their wives.