Correct knowledge of the ovulatory cycle and its association with the use of modern contraceptives: evidence from the 2023 Jordan Population and Family Health Survey
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Background
Correct knowledge of the ovulatory cycle (KOC), that is, knowing when in the menstrual cycle a woman is most likely to become pregnant, is key to informed contraceptive decision-making. However, little is known about the factors associated with correct KOC and how such knowledge is linked to contraceptive use in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, particularly in Jordan. This study explores (i) the variations in the prevalence of correct KOC among currently married women and men in Jordan by socio-demographic characteristics and (ii) the associations between correct KOC and use of modern contraceptives. Data were drawn from the 2023 Jordan Population and Family Health Survey (JPFHS), a nationally representative Survey covering all 12 governorates of Jordan. The analysis included currently married women aged 15–49 ( N = 11,623), men aged 15–59 ( N = 2728), and matched couples ( N = 2273). Respondents who reported that women are more likely to become pregnant halfway between two periods were considered to have the correct KOC. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariable analyses were conducted.
Results
Approximately 41% of women and men each had correct KOC. For both women and men, the odds of correct KOC were greater among urban residents than among rural residents, individuals exposed to mass media than those not exposed, and regular internet users than irregular users. Women who received family planning counseling were 14% less likely to have correct KOC than women who did not receive counseling (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.79–0.93). Analysis based on individual data showed that women with correct KOC were 25% more likely to use short-acting reversible methods than those who did not have correct KOC (adjusted relative risk ratio [ARRR] 1.25, 95% CI 1.12–1.39). In contrast, men with correct KOC were 37% more likely to report that they or their spouses were using long-acting and permanent methods than their counterparts (ARRR 1.37, 95% CI 1.07–1.75). The analysis of couple data revealed that, compared to both wife and husband having correct KOC, only one of them having correct KOC was associated with lower use of short-acting reversible methods.
Conclusions
Correct KOC is associated with the use of modern contraceptive methods. Correct knowledge among women was positively associated with the use short-acting reversible methods, whereas correct KOC among men was associated with the use long-acting methods. The findings underscore the need for improved counseling services targeting individuals with poor KOC (rural residents, limited exposure to mass media, and irregular internet users) to increase their fertility awareness.
