Knowledge on family planning and use of contraceptives among women working in Avissawella export processing zone

Abstract

INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: Women working in export processing zones (EPZs) are reported to have risky sexual behaviors leading to unwanted pregnancies.The purpose of this study was to describe the level of knowledge on family planning (FP) and prevalence of contraceptive use among reproductive-age women workers of Avissawella EPZ. METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to assess knowledge on FP and use of contraceptives among 515 unmarried and 515 married women selected by stratified random sampling from factories in Avissawella EPZ. Pretested, self-administered questionnaire was used. RESULTS: Forty two percent (CI37.7-46.3) of married and 7% (CI4.8-9.3) of unmarried women had "Satisfactory Overall Knowledge" on FP. Asignificantly higher knowledge was observed among married women (OR=8.3; CI=5.5-12.5),who were over 35 years (OR=2.2;CI=1.5-3.3), having passed GCE (0/L) examination (OR=1.7) and having a monthly income of more than Rs.30,000/- (OR=2.2). Contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) for married women for any method and any modem method were 47.8% (CI43.4% -52.2%) and 40.9% (CI 36.6%-45.2%) respectively. Oral contraceptive pill (11%), intrauterine device (8%) and injectable (6%) were the most commonly used methods by married women. Having "Satisfactory Overall Knowledge" on FP (OR= 1.6; Cl=1.7-3.9), age below 35 years (OR=2.2;CI=1.3-3.9) and having two or more children (OR=2.7;CI=1.6-4.5) were in dependently associated with higher CPR. CONCLUSION: Knowledge on FP and use of contraceptives were low among women of Avissawella EPZ.