Abstrak: This study aimed to determine the predictors of contraceptive use among married female youths and their husbands using the behavioral theory of the Health Belief Model (HBM). A community-based survey was conducted in a rural area of Myanmar in 2008. A total of 444 respondents (222 couples) were interviewed separately using a pretested, structured questionnaire. Significant predictors of contraceptive use were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis. Wife's HBM perception was a highly significant predictor of contraceptive use in married youths (adjusted odds ratio = 10; 95% confidence interval = 2.7, 37.6). Wives aged 20 to 24 years and having their own income, experience of spousal communication, and shorter distance from home to health center were also significant predictors of contraceptive use. A poor agreement on HBM perception between wife and husband was noted. This study highlights the importance of HBM perceptions, wife's income, spousal communication, and geographic barriers in contraceptive use among married youths in rural Myanmar.

Abstrak: The present study investigates the prevalence of reproductive health morbidities, treatment-seeking behavior, and its association with sociodemographic correlates among unmarried and married adolescent girls of Sikkim. The study sample includes 1250 adolescent girls randomly selected from both urban and rural blocks of the State. Information on socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, prevalence of reproductive health morbidities, and treatment-seeking behavior was collected using standard pretested questionnaires.

Results: of the study indicate that the prevalence of reproductive health morbidities among both married and unmarried girls is quite high. Age, media exposure, and economic status emerged as significant correlates of treatment-seeking practices among both married and unmarried girls. High prevalence of reproductive health morbidity in this vulnerable group, particularly in rural settings, requires urgent intervention of health planners. This study reinforces an indirect and mediatory role of socioeconomic and demographic factors in the prevalence of reproductive health morbidities and associated treatment-seeking behaviors.