The study aimed to identify the patterns of contraceptive use among Thai women aged ≥40 years and the reasons for not using contraception.
This cross-sectional study included sexually active women aged 40–49 years in Khon Kaen, Thailand. The unmet need for a modern contraception method and the unmet need for any form of contraception was calculated based on the percentage of participants who were not using contraception but who wanted to postpone or prevent pregnancy.
Four hundred women participated in the study. 75.5% were currently using contraception, with female sterilization being the most used. The main reasons for not using contraception included perceived low risk of pregnancy, health concerns, infrequent sexual intercourse, and wish to become pregnant. The unmet need for a modern method of contraception was 23.3%. Having children was a significant protective factor.
The study concluded that although contraception was expected, some participants displayed a lack of knowledge and did not practice family planning. Our findings address the importance of improving experience about pregnancy risks and the need for effective contraception in this population.
Reference: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13625187.2020.1783653
