Transition from the Lactational Amenorrhea Method to other modern family planning methods in rural Bangladesh: Barrier analysis and implications for behavior change communication program intervention design

Timely transition from Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) to a modern family planning method contributes to healthy spacing of pregnancies during the first year postpartum. Eighty postpartum women participated in in-depth interviews to explore a ‘‘Barrier Analysis’’ questionnaire on eight behavioral determinants.  For non-transitioners, key barriers included waiting for menses to return, misconceptions on return to fertility, and lack of familial support. Increased emphasis on social support and counseling by trained health workers about risk of pregnancy, and misconceptions about personal fertility patterns are critical for facilitating the transition