Abstract
This thesis seeks to explore why women choose non-use of contraception despite having economic and physical access to modern birth control methods. By using a qualitative case study approach, the study examines the women’s considerations in-depth. The findings indicate that the decision-making process on contraceptive use is a complex interplay between individual dispositions, interactional dynamics and social factors. Notions of health and risk, and insufficient knowledge about options emerged as important issues. Moreover, acting on the goal to use contraceptives was challenged in a context of husband’s opposition to contraception, women’s relatively low decision-making power, low education and lack of economic autonomy. Religious norms, the highly valued fertility of women and a preference for sons may have added to rendering contraception use contextually unattainable. The decision not to use contraception, even if having an intention to do so, may be viewed not as an irrational choice, but rather as a meaningful act within contextual circumstances.