The relationship between prenatal care and subsequent modern contraceptive use in Bolivia, Egypt and Thailand.

Determinants of modern contraceptive use are usually examined in isolation of the effect of exposure to other aspects of health care systems. Maternal interaction with organised health service provision during post-conception and postpartum stages of reproduction can provide an opportunity to transfer contraceptive service information and counselling. We found that living in a community in which women have widespread health service contact is related to both prenatal care use and subsequent modern contraceptive use. After controlling for effects of living in high health service contact areas and various demographic and background factors, our results suggest that prior use of prenatal care has a strong influence on subsequent use of modern contraception in Bolivia, Egypt and Thailand.