Modern contraception utilization and its determinants in Pakistan Bangladesh and Afghanistan a comparative analysis

This study examines modern contraceptive use in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan presenting a unique regional context for studying modern contraception utilization due to their shared histories, socio-economic structures, and cultural norms. Women in these countries face unique complications and barriers while accessing the contraception. Understanding these social constraints is essential for developing targeted policies to improve contraceptive access and reproductive health outcomes. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using Demographic Health Survey (DHS) from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The study examined socio demographic factors such as age, education, region, wealth index. Modern contraception prevalence was calculated in each country, and data sets from Pakistan and Bangladesh (2012–2013) were compared to datasets from (2017–2018). Descriptive statistics and regression models were used to discover relationships between social variables and contraception use. The findings reveal significant disparities in contraceptive use between urban and rural areas. The prevalence of modern contraceptive use was highest in Bangladesh (52.3%), followed by Pakistan (23.6%), and lowest in Afghanistan (17.7%), and Bangladesh reports high autonomy (88.8%), Pakistan 57% while only 25.9% of Afghan women report having similar autonomy. Modern contraceptive use was higher in Bangladesh compared to Pakistan in both 2012-13 and 2017-18. However, both countries showed an overall increase in usage from 2012 to 13 to 2017-18. Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan share common yet unique barriers, socioeconomic determinants including education, wealth and decision-making autonomy, are equally important in each country. The study highlights the need for country-specific policies that integrate reproductive health services with broader socio-economic development strategies. The findings suggest that higher education and empowerment opportunities enable women to make informed choices about contraception.