Abstract
Background: Family planning literacy has been proven to be a major factor affecting family planning uptake. Considering Pakistan’s rapidly increasing population, the need to understand and study determinants of family planning literacy is imperative. Objective: To determine the factors affecting the knowledge and attitude of women regarding the acquisition of family planning knowledge in semi-urban areas of Lahore, Pakistan. Method: Focus group discussions were conducted, with interviewers asking questions regarding family planning literacy and factors affecting family planning literacy among women of childbearing age present within the premises of Mayo Hospital Lahore, Pakistan. These sessions were recorded, translated, and transcribed. The transcriptions were analyzed for themes, which were compiled. Results: A total of 50 women participated in our study. We found major factors affecting family planning literacy were sociodemographic factors including religion, education, rural living area, spousal attitude, and discussion, fear of side effects of family planning, and lack of awareness of the importance of family planning. Conclusion: Women still face numerous obstacles to the acquisition of family planning knowledge due to personal and societal factors. Pakistan needs to make major improvements to increase family planning awareness and knowledge, especially among women of childbearing age.