Contraceptive discontinuation, failure and switching behavior in Bangladesh: levels, trends, determinants and policy implications

M. Mazharul Islam, University of Dhaka
Nitai Chakroborty

This study examines the contraceptive use dynamics in Bangladesh and analyzes the levels, trends and determinants of discontinuation, failure and switching behavior of contraception. The data for the study comes from the 2004 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS). The findings of the study provide valuable insights on the quality of contraceptive use in Bangladesh. Half (51 percent) of Bangladeshi women discontinue use of their contraceptive method during the first year of use.The main reasons for discontinuation are side effects and other method related reasons. Condom is the most inefficient method followed by pill, while injectables are the most effective method. Source of supply, parity, age of women, region of residence, and economic status are the major determinats of discontinuation and failure.Women who discontinue use of a method switch to another method or completely abandon use, at least temporarily, despite a need for contraception.