Contraceptive Switching in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has experienced a substantial decline in fertility that has been achieved by means of a large increase in the use of modern methods of contraception. As contraceptive prevalence increases, aspects of contraceptive-use dynamics, including reasons for discontinuation and behavior after discontinuation, become important influences on fertility. This report uses calendar data from the 1993-94 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey to examine contraceptive behavior following discontinuation of modern-method use. The individual-level characteristics found to influence switching behavior include the method used, method-related difficulties with previous contraceptive use, and education. A large amount of unexplained variation in switching rates remains, however, largely at the individual level, but also at the community level for certain types of transition.