Final Report (PDF, 2132K) - Measure DHS

Periodic abstinence is the most widely used method among current users of family planning andthe second most widely used method among women who have ever used a family planning method.Successful practice of this method depends on knowledge of when, in the monthly ovulatory cycle, awoman is most likely to become pregnant if exposed to sexual intercourse. In the ODHS, all respondentswere asked when in the ovulatory cycle a woman is most at risk to becoming pregnant. These data canprovide an indication of whether or not women have sufficient knowledge to use periodic abstinenceeffectively. Table 4.8 presents the distribution of responses for all women and for the small number ofwomen who had ever used periodic abstinence. A broad interpretation of response categories wouldconsider as correct either "in the middle of the cycle" or "right after the period ends." Under thisdefinition, almost 65 percent of all women in Ondo State and about 85 percent of those who have everused periodic abstinence would be considered sufficiently knowledgeable to practice the method. Whileit is encouraging that women who have used periodic abstinence are more knowledgeable about theovulatory cycle'than women in general, it must be noted that one in seven of these women lacks theknowledge to effectively use periodic abstinence and that figure would be considerably higher if thecriteria for determining knowledge were stricter and limited to the response "in the middle of the cycle."Table 4.8Percent Distribution of All Women andWomen Who Have Ever Used PeriodicAbstinence by Knowledge of the FertilePeriod During the Ovulatory Cycle, ODHS,1986Ever Users ofFertile All PeriodicPeriod Women AbstinenceDuring Menstrual Period 0.5 0.0Right After Period Ends 43.6 48.6In Middle of Cycle 20.7 37.3Just Before Period Begins 2.8 1.4At Any Time ]9.7 10.4Other 13.6 2.4Total 100.O 100.0Number of Women 4213 21235