Are the Clinical Methods for the Poor in Bangladesh? Evidence from Demographic and Health Survey

Mohammad Amirul Islam, University of Southampton

This study investigates the differential in uptake of clinical methods and explores the experience of side effects among the clinical method users, with special reference to their economic status, using Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2004. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to understand the impact of the economic status of the respondents along with other socioeconomic and demographic variables on clinical method use. About 17% of the respondents were using clinical methods. Clinical method use was high among the poorest clients, and these clients were experiencing more side effects and receiving fewer family planning (FP) visits. Regression analysis revealed that respondents who belonged to the poorest quintile, had no education, had access to FP TV messages, never discussed FP within marital union and were from urban areas were significantly more likely to use clinical methods. This study recommends that FP programs should ensure informed choices for method options.