Fertility and family planning in Barbados : findings from the contraceptive prevalence survey, 1980-81

Included are background information on the Barbados Family Planning Association (BFPA), which commissioned the survey, and the survey"s methodology and sample, as well as survey results on: (1) present, cumulative, and age-specific fertility rates, future fertility desires, and preferred number of children among women aged 15-49; (2) contraceptive knowledge and use among these women; (3) the sources of currently used methods; and (4) the use of BFPA services. The survey did not address the determinants of contraceptive use. Of the women queried, 97% knew at least one contraceptive method, and 36.9% were current users. The method most widely known (94%) and used (35%) was the pill; female sterilization was known by 80% and adopted by 31%. Fewer than 33% of respondents had ever received BFPA services. A final section of the report urges increased efforts to prevent avoidable or unwanted pregnancy among women who are either aged 15-19 (especially the unmarried), past age 34, or already have 3-4 children. Appended are the survey questionnaire and tabulations of selected findings; 58 tables are included in the text.