Use of family planning methods in Kassala, Eastern Sudan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Investigating use and determinants of family planning methods may be instructive in the design of interventions to improve reproductive health services.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Across sectional community-based study was conducted during the period February-April 2010 to investigate the use of family planning in Kassala, eastern Sudan. Structured questionnaires were used to gather socio-demographic data and use of family planning. The mean ± SD of the age and parity of 613 enrolled women was 31.1 ± 7 years and 3.4 ± 1.9, respectively. Only 44.0% of these women had previously or currently used one or more of the family planning methods. Combined pills (46.7%) and progesterone injection (17.8%) were the predominant method used by the investigated women. While age, residence were not associated with the use of family planning, parity (> five), couple education (≥ secondary level) were significantly associated with the use of family planning. Husband objection and religious beliefs were the main reasons of non-use of family planning.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Education, encouragement of health education programs and involvement of the religious persons might promote family planning in eastern Sudan.</p