Continuing Use of Withdrawal as a Contraceptive Method in Iran

Abstract

Since its establishment in 1989, the family planning program of Iran has taken great strides in raising contraceptive prevalence rate and reducing fertility. The most recent national survey conducted in 2000 indicated a contraceptive prevalence rate of 74 and a TFR of 2.0 for the country as whole. This paper reviews the latest data on the extent of use of withdrawal by Iranian couples and identifies the social and demographic characteristics of women relying on this method. It is shown that women using this traditional method are more likely to be urban, come from the more developed provinces, and have higher levels of education. The experience of unintended pregnancy among withdrawal user is not more than the women who use modern contraceptives such as the pill.