Published
2025-06-26
Section
Articles
How to Cite
Impact of family planning on maternal mortality in Pakistan: A quantitative analysis using PMMS Data
Impact of family planning on maternal mortality in Pakistan: A quantitative analysis using PMMS Data
Rizwana Timsal
Keywords: Family planning, maternal mortality, Pakistan Maternal Mortality Survey, socioeconomic status, education, healthcare access, demographic factors
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of family planning utilization on maternal mortality in Pakistan, using secondary data from the Pakistan Maternal Mortality Survey (PMMS) 2019. The research also examines the influence of key control variables including socioeconomic status, education, healthcare access, and demographic factors. A quantitative analytical approach was applied using SPSS version 24 to conduct descriptive, correlation, and regression analyses. The results show that family planning utilization is significantly and negatively associated with maternal mortality (β = -0.47, p < .001), indicating that increased contraceptive use effectively reduces maternal deaths. Control variables such as socioeconomic status (β = -0.32), education (β = -0.26), and healthcare access (β = -0.28) also demonstrated significant negative relationships with maternal mortality, underscoring the importance of these determinants in improving maternal health outcomes. The findings support existing global literature emphasizing the role of reproductive autonomy, economic empowerment, and education in reducing maternal deaths. Two hypotheses were tested and accepted, confirming that both family planning utilization and structural factors significantly influence maternal mortality. Based on the analysis, the study recommends expanding access to modern contraceptive services, improving girls’ education, enhancing healthcare infrastructure in rural areas, and addressing financial barriers through targeted support programs. The study concludes that integrated, multi-sectoral efforts are required to reduce maternal mortality and achieve Pakistan’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of fewer than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030. This research contributes to evidence-based policymaking for improving maternal health in Pakistan's most vulnerable populations
Author Biography
Rizwana Timsal
Associate Fellow, National Institute of Population Studies
Islamabad Pakistan
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