The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #70415

Mizanur Rahman, PhD¹, Julie DaVanzo, PhD², and Abdur Razaaque, PhD¹. (1) Technical Services, Pathfinder International, 9 Galen Street, Suite 217, Watertown, MA 02472, 617-924-7200, ghainsworth@pathfind.org, (2) Family in Economic Development Center, RAND, 1700 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90407

Bangladesh is a poor country with the highest population density in the world. However, Bangladesh has been known as a success story for family planning program as fertility has declined from over 6.5 children in the 1970s to 3.3 in the early 1990s. The authors conducted a study to examine the link between socio-economic factors, family planning programs, and replacement-level fertility in the hopes that these findings could be applied to other developing country contexts.

A group of women were identified who desire to have replacement-level fertility and/or have already achieved replacement-level fertility or nearly such a level. To determine what type of contraceptive method choice might be most appealing to couples that have yet to reach replacement-level fertility, the contraceptive use dynamics of the group who have reached replacement-level fertility were investigated. The authors analyzed data on desired fertility, actual fertility, and contraceptive use from national surveys and surveys on special programs, such as the Bangladesh DHS 2000, MEASURE Surveys of RSDP and UFHP 2000-2001, and from ICDDR,B 1995-1999.

Conclusions: Urban and educated women were better able to shape their reproductive needs as they have nearly achieved replacement-level fertility. Family planning programs played a critical role with regard to access and quality of family planning services, especially in the areas of contraceptive method choice.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participants will be able to:
• Assess at what stage of fertility transition is Bangladesh;
• Describe the association between socio-economic variables and fertility; and
• Analyze how important family planning programs may be in achieving replacement-level fertility in developing countries

Keywords: Family Planning, Developing Countries

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.