A community-based survey was conducted in October 2003 to investigate the determinants of contraception use and probability of 2 years continuation among ever married women of reproductive age in Karak, south Jordan. Of the 1109 participants, 61% were ever users of contraceptives in 1389 segments, median duration 24.0 months. The cumulative proportion of continuation was 92% at 6 months, 65% at 12 months and 42% at 24 months. Older age, longer duration of marriage, large number of surviving childrenand use of the intrauterine device independently predicted a longer duration of contraception use. Pregnancyplanning (74%) was the most frequently stated reason for discontinuation. Family planning programmes should focus on reducing discontinuation and recommending methods with a higher probability of continua-tion.