Effects of Social Barriers on the Contraceptive Use among Males and Females in PNS-SHIFA Hospital Karachi

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the social barrier that influence males and females for using contraception and to evaluate the association of educational status and age with the use of contraceptives. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at PNS SHIFA hospital, Bahria University Medical & Dental College (BUMDC) from 1st July 2015 till 1st September 2015. A predesigned questionnaire was used for the study. 350 participants were included and sampling technique of non-probability convenient sampling was followed. Data was analyzed on SPSS version 23. Results: Out of 96 males, 18 used contraceptives while in females out of 254 only 84 were using it. When assessed the relationship between education and contraceptive use, p-value for males was 0.026 which was highly significant whereas, in females it was non-significant. The top most reasons among non-users were desire to have children, lack of knowledge in males and in females’ husband's opposition and non interest. Maximum use of contraception was observed between 34-41 years of age among both males and females. Conclusion: The social barriers that influenced males from using contraception were: wanted to have children, lack of knowledge, religious views whereas, in females they were husband’s opposition, lack of interest and fear of side effects. There is need to improve the education status of females. Religious scholars must play their role to increase use of contraception.