Contraceptive Discontinuation by Jordanian Families: Detailed Analysis of The Most Recent Data on Levels, Differentials and Reasons

Abstract

Contraceptive behavior of married couples in terms of use and discontinuation has important implications for the families and societies. Using data from the calendar section of Jordan Population and Family Health Survey questionnaire for 2012 and DynPak software, this study investigated the level of contraceptive use and discontinuation among married Jordanians as well as the reasons and differentials of discontinuation by method and background characteristics of the family and wife. The findings showed that around 60% of Jordanian couples are currently using a contraceptive method to stop or postpone childbearing of which 30% are traditional methods. However, the 12-month contraceptive discontinuation rate is still high (48%). The highest discontinuation rate was among users of hormonal methods due to health concerns and side effects and among users of traditional methods due to high failure rate. The lowest discontinuation rate was recorded among users of non-hormonal methods. Discontinuation is attributed to justifiable reasons such as couples’ desire to have another child or to use more effective and convenient method and insusceptibility of wife to pregnancy. However, there were reasons for discontinuation that result in unintended pregnancy such as contraceptive failure associated to high use of traditional methods or abandon using while in need to use..