Description

FPCUROM (V3A05) indicates whether the woman was told by anyone about other potential contraceptive methods she could use when she first obtained her current method. Universes vary across samples; see Comparability.

Users should be careful to distinguish this variable from FPCUROMWKR (V3A06), which indicates whether the woman was told about other potential methods by a health or family planning worker.

Comparability

While the question wording for FPCUROM (V3A05) is largely standard, IPUMS-DHS users should note universe differences across samples. For most samples, the universe included women who began to use a "modern" contraceptive method and were told about potential side effects of that method in the last five years. According to the standard DHS recode manual, the following forms of contraception are considered to be modern methods:

• Pill
• IUD
• Injections
• Diaphragm/foam/jelly
• Female Sterilization
• Implants
• Lactational amenorrhea
• Female condom

In some surveys, the meaning of "modern" method varies, and as a result, the specific methods that were considered "modern" for this variable vary across samples. Most commonly, some combination of the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM), female condoms, and diaphragm/foam/jelly were not included in this grouping, so users of these methods were excluded. For example, some samples excluded users of LAM and diaphragm/foam/jelly, but included users of all the other aforementioned methods. As a result, IPUMS-DHS users are encouraged to consult FPMETHNOW (V312) to learn what was considered a "modern" method and which women were included in the universe for samples of interest.

Comparability - Standard DHS

FPCUROM (V3A05) is included in the standard DHS questionnaire for Phase IV forward.

Universe