Accessing to the contraception among educated urban youth

Abstract

Every year, a significant segment of population is entering into adult life in Bangladesh; this population is vulnerable to their overall reproductive health. Bangladesh does not have any nationally representative data, which sheds the light on the knowledge level on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) among the young population. While this poses a challenge, there are other sources of data, which measure comprehensive knowledge on HIV that points the low levels of knowledge among young people. In Bangladesh, young people bear many health burdens such as early marriage to unintended pregnancy, unsafe sex, and recourse to abortion as a consequence of non-use of contraceptives or method failure. There is a lack of focus on the unmarried young people who also are much vulnerable to the unsafe sex. Due to socio-cultural barriers, they often face challenges to access to the contraception. Young women are more vulnerable to this because of the patriarchal structure of the society. Despite of Government of Bangladesh’s many efforts to expand contraceptive access among young people; very few were considered on young people living in Dhaka. This study was done to identify knowledge and challenges remaining accessing to the contraceptive methods among educated urban young people living in Dhaka. The study uses both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Eighty-five young people living in Dhaka were surveyed and three Focus Group Discussions were organised. Other than that, literatures related to current situation of young people living in Bangladesh were reviewed. Result shows, unmarried young people are also trying to access to the contraceptives. The study identifies the challenges which urban educated young people face to access contraceptive methods in Dhaka because of socio-cultural factors, religious factors, taboo and stigma. The result suggests that young people are also willing to try new contraceptive methods if these are available and affordable for them without any judgement and stigma.