Table 2.
Perceptions and practices of participants regarding contraceptive methods
| Characteristic | Urban (N = 120) | Rural (N = 60) | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| n (%) | n (%) | ||
| Knowledge of methods | |||
| Injectables | 120 (100.0%) | 59 (98.3%) | 0.152 |
| OC pills | 120 (100.0%) | 57 (95.0%) | 0.014 |
| Condoms | 120 (100.0%) | 52 (86.7%) | <0.001 |
| Implants | 117 (97.5%) | 55 (91.7%) | 0.082 |
| IUD | 103 (85.8%) | 36 (60.0%) | 0.001 |
| Permanent methods (BTL and vasectomy) | 86 (71.7%) | 31 (51.7%) | 0.043 |
| Knowledge of whether methods were long-acting or short-acting. | |||
| Correctly listed long-acting methods as such | 85 (70.8%) | 12 (20.0%) | <0.001 |
| Correctly listed short-acting methods as such | 89 (74.2%) | 21 (35.0%) | <0.001 |
| Knowledge of how methods are used | |||
| Knew how at least one method is used | 120 (100.0%) | 60 (100.0%) | 1.0 |
| Knew how all listed methods are used | 31 (25.8%) | 5 (8.3%) | 0.006 |
| Belief in myths about contraceptives | |||
| Agreed with “contraceptives cause cancer” | 64 (53.3%) | 34 (56.7%) | 0.564 |
| Agreed with “contraceptives cause birth defects” | 65 (54.2%) | 22 (36.7%) | 0.017 |
| Agreed with “contraceptives cause infertility” | 59 (49.2%) | 20 (33.3%) | 0.034 |
| Which type of method is more effective? | |||
| LARC methods | 75 (62.5%) | 35 (58.3%) | 0.543 |
| Short-acting methods | 26 (21.7%) | 12 (20.0%) | 0.775 |
| Did not know | 19 (15.8%) | 13 (21.7%) | 0.275 |
| What do you think is the least effective method | |||
| Withdrawal method | 62 (51.7%) | 14 (23.3%) | <0.001 |
| Oral contraceptive pills | 41 (34.2%) | 22 (36.7%) | 0.770 |
| Condoms | 13 (10.8%) | 13 (21.7%) | 0.054 |
| What do you think is the most effective method | |||
| Implants | 34 (28.3%) | 18 (30.0%) | 0.870 |
| Injectables | 33 (27.5%) | 18 (30.0%) | 0.777 |
| Sterilization (BTL/vasectomy) | 31 (25.8%) | 17 (28.3%) | 0.770 |
| Condoms | 3 (2.5%) | 2 (3.3%) | 0.763 |
| Oral contraceptive pills | 3 (2.5%) | 1 (1.7%) | 0.709 |
| Ever used a LARC method | 23 (19.2%) | 19 (31.7%) | 0.062 |
| Ever used a short-acting method | 104 (86.7%) | 47 (78.3%) | 0.191 |
| Ever used oral contraceptive pills | 39 (32.5%) | 14 (23.3%) | 0.20 |
| Ever used injectable contraceptive | 86 (71.7%) | 39 (65.0%) | 0.450 |
| Ever used other short-acting methods (condoms, spermicides, moon beads) | 10 (8.3%) | 4 (6.7%) | 0.920 |
| Ever used implant | 18 (15.0%) | 14 (23.3%) | 0.550 |
| Ever used IUD | 5 (4.2%) | 3 (5.0%) | 0.958 |
| Talked to partner prior to use of contraceptive method | 105 (87.5%) | 53 (88.3%) | 0.885 |
| Partner supportive of contraceptive use | 92 (76.7%) | 50 (83.3%) | 0.356 |