AWARENESS AND ACCEPTANCE AS DETERMINANTS OF FAMILY PLANNING SERVICE UTILIZATION AMONG REPRODUCTIVE-AGE WOMEN IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: Maternal mortality remains high, and family planning can help reduce adverse outcomes. This study explored awareness, acceptance, and utilization of family planning among married women of reproductive age in District Lahore, Punjab. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 220 women (15–49 years) in Lady Willington Hospital, Lahore. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire (Cronbach alpha = 0.775) and analyzed with SPSS 25. Pearson's Chi-square was applied at 0.05 significance. Results: Among 220 respondents, 68.2% were currently using a family planning method, with contraceptive pills (44.0%) and condoms (26.7%) being the most common, while discontinuation was reported by 83.3% of users mainly to achieve pregnancy (74.3%). Chi-square analysis showed significant associations between family planning utilization and age (p = 0.027), education (p = 0.028), number of children (p = 0.001), and income status (p = 0.015). Conclusion: Improving contraceptive uptake in Lahore requires targeted interventions addressing socio-demographic disparities and barriers to sustained use.