Results of the 1981 Contraceptive Prevalence Survey of 7,038 ever-married women in Thailand are presented. After discussion of the Survey”s objectives, background, and methodology, results are presented regarding: (1) fertility, in terms of age at marriage, cumulative and current fertility and fertility trends, infant mortality rates, and desire for additional children; (2) patterns of contraceptive knowledge and use, including demographic, socioeconomic, age, urban-rural and regional differentials; (3) contraceptive availability; and (4) infant feeding practices. Results show that: fertility and infant mortality are apparently declining; knowledge of contraceptive methods is nearly universal, although its quality could be improved; contraception is used by almost 4 out of 5 currently-married women aged 15-44 across the socioeconomic, and increasingly, the geographical spectrum; at least 85% of the respondents desire no more children; the pill is the most popular contraceptive method (one-third of users), although declining in popularity as the use of injectables and especially female sterilization increases; the government”s role in supplying contraceptives is significant; and efforts to promote breastfeeding should target the Central region. A discussion of policy implications concludes the report. Appendices include the survey”s sample design, estimation of parameters, and questionnaire and a note on estimation of infant mortality rates; 84 tables and 10 figures are provided.
