Study on perception regarding family planning and family spacing among currently married women of reproductive age in a selected remote area of Bangladesh

Background: Family planning (FP) and optimal family spacing are crucial for improving maternal and child healthoutcomes. Despite progress, socio-cultural barriers, misconceptions, and limited autonomy continue to influencecontraceptive use among women in rural Bangladesh. Objective: To explore perceptions and practices regarding familyplanning and family spacing among currently married women of reproductive age (CMWRA) and to identify factorsinfluencing contraceptive choice and continuation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January toJune 2021 among 480 married women aged 15–40 years with at least two children, using interviewer-administeredquestionnaires using a convenient sampling method. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were performed usingSPSS version 26. Results: The mean age of participants was 26.8 ± 4.8 years, with 73.5% aged 21–30 years. Mostwere housewives (92.7%) and nearly half (44.8%) had married before 18 years. Oral contraceptive pills were the mostcommonly used method both previously (67.3%) and currently (54.2%), followed by condoms (17.3%) and injectables(16.5%). Method choice was significantly associated with educational status (p = 0.0001). Side effects such as nausea(47.8%) and irregular bleeding (22.8%) were common reasons for discontinuation or switching. While most women(83.5%) reported no barrier to FP adoption, barriers included husband’s objection (7.3%), social opposition (5.4%),and religious beliefs (3.8%). Overcoming factors were self-motivation (63.5%), spousal support (17.7%), and healthworker advice (18.8%). Almost all respondents (97.7%) reported good availability of contraceptive methods locally.Conclusion: Educational attainment strongly influences contraceptive choice, strengthening counseling services,addressing misconceptions, and promoting female education can improve informed decision-making and sustainableFP use in rural Bangladesh.