THE percentage of married women using modern family planning methods has increased from 29 percent in 1993 to 45 percent in 2022, said the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Thursday, July 13, 2023.
The PSA said that this is based on the results of the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) that it conducted in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAid).
The NDHS provides valuable insights into various aspects of family planning, violence against women, fertility rates, women's empowerment, and access to healthcare in Central Visayas.
Results of the study were presented to local media during an event at Golden Prince Hotel and Suites in Cebu City on Thursday.
Maria Lourdes A. Garillos, the Fertility and Family Planning Population Program officer, said there has been a significant rise in the use of modern family planning methods among married women in Central Visayas, and this is a positive trend toward the adoption of modern contraceptive methods in the region.
Modern methods include female sterilization, male sterilization, pill, IUD, injectable, condom, mucus/billings/ovulation methods, Standard Days Method and Lactational Amenorrhea Method.
The traditional methods include calendar method, rhythm or periodic abstinence, and withdrawal.
The survey also highlighted the need for continued efforts in promoting family planning education and services to unmarried sexually active women, as their contraceptive usage remains significantly lower compared to married women.
This underscores the importance of reaching out to this population and addressing the barriers they may face in accessing and using contraception, said Garillos.
She added that the unmet need for family planning in Central Visayas has decreased from 22 percent in 1993 to 13 percent in 2022, indicating improved access to contraception.
These findings underscore the ongoing importance of enhancing family planning services and information, she said.
Central Visayas has a Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 2.0, indicating a declining population growth rate in the region.
Also, the survey revealed the desired family size among women aged 15-49, which is crucial for tailoring family planning programs to meet women's expectations and aspirations in the region.
Domestic violence
Leslie Marie Zuasula, the Women's Empowerment and Domestic Violence Senior Statistical specialist, said domestic violence also remained a concerning issue in the region.
Based on the survey, 19 percent of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence from their current or most recent husband or intimate partner. Additionally, 14 percent of women in the same age group have suffered from any form of violence within the past 12 months.
Women empowerment, access to healthcare services
The survey also examined different facets of women's empowerment such as earnings, decision-making, and negotiation of sexual relations.
The PSA said policymakers can use this information to create comprehensive programs that promote gender equality and safeguard women's rights.
The survey also revealed the difficulties women aged 15-49 face when accessing healthcare services.
PSA said understanding these challenges is crucial for developing strategies to improve healthcare access for women and ensure timely medical attention.
It added that the survey's findings will serve as a valuable foundation for policymakers, healthcare providers, and stakeholders to design programs that address women's specific needs and enhance their overall well-being in Central Visayas. (Ian Christopher Ostulano, NWSSU intern)