Contraceptive use continues to serve as an essential marker of reproductive health equity. To generate timely, site-specific data on family planning access and practices, the Philippine Society for Responsible Parenthood Inc., with support from the United Nations Population Fund, commissioned a Lot Quality Assurance Sampling survey across nine provinces in mid-2018.

Our team at APMARGIN was engaged to lead the design and implementation of the survey, having also managed the baseline round in December 2017. We developed the sampling strategy, trained field data collectors, and coordinated structured interviews with women of reproductive age. Each site included interviews with ninety five women aged fifteen to forty nine in Pangasinan, Quezon, Camarines Sur, Cebu, Leyte, Agusan del Sur, North Cotabato, Cotabato City, and Manila.

What We Studied

The study explored trends in modern contraceptive prevalence rate and examined user experiences, access points, and reasons for non-use. Respondents were asked about current and past contraceptive use, sources of information, motivations behind method choice, and interaction with health providers.

What the Data Revealed

Pills and injectables remained the most commonly used methods. Some areas saw a rise in long-acting and permanent method use, including IUDs and bilateral tubal ligation. Increases in prevalence were observed, although these changes were not statistically significant due to overlapping confidence intervals.

Public health facilities were the main source of family planning services. Voluntarism and informed choice were generally upheld, though variability existed across provinces in how providers discussed side effects and alternative methods. Some women still paid out of pocket for short-term methods, while long-acting services were typically offered for free.

Among non-users, the most common reasons included fear of side effects, infrequent sexual activity, a desire to conceive, or having a partner who worked overseas. Many of them expressed openness to using a method in the future, often mentioning pills or injectables.

Information and encouragement came from barangay health workers, nurses, midwives, and rural health units. Support from friends, family members, and local education sessions also influenced decisions. The study reinforced the importance of strong informed consent and voluntarism mechanisms.

Moving Forward

This survey demonstrated how LQAS can produce timely and reliable insights that guide local program planning. Compared to national surveys, it allowed for faster data collection and analysis while keeping focus on regional needs.

If you would like a copy of the full report or wish to learn more about how this approach can support reproductive health monitoring in your area, please get in touch through our official contact page.