Family planning awareness among never-married adolescent girls in Bangladesh

Background This study aims to explore the national level prevalence of family planning (FP) awareness among never-married adolescent girls (NMAGs) in Bangladesh and perform a policy analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of existing FP programs and initiatives specifically designed to increase FP awareness among NMAGs in the country. Methods We used data from the Bangladesh Adolescent Health and Wellbeing Survey (BAHWS) 2019–20, the first national-level cross-sectional survey conducted on adolescents aged 15–19 in Bangladesh. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were employed to identify the correlates of FP awareness. The FP programs and initiatives taken since 2012 were assessed using the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) policy analysis framework. Findings Among NMAGs, roughly 25% were unaware of any modern FP method, 28% were unaware of oral contraceptive pills, 60% did not know about condoms, and 91% were unfamiliar with emergency contraceptive pills. Younger adolescents, those with lower levels of education, living in rural areas or Central and Eastern divisions, without access to mobile phones or the internet, with limited exposure to media, and not recently exposed to adolescent programs, were less likely to know about modern family planning methods. Using CDC analysis, we found that no intervention or strategies have been specifically developed to increase FP awareness among NMAGs in Bangladesh. Conclusion FP awareness among NMAGs shows pronounced socio-demographic disparities. Findings underscore the need for coordinated government–development partner collaboration to design and implement tailored, adolescent-responsive interventions and strategies to improve FP awareness among NMAGs and safeguard their Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.