Dynamics of Contraceptive use among Women of Reproductive Age Group Attending Urban Health Centre of A Tertiary Institute

Abstract

Introduction: As per 2011 census, India is the second most populous country in the world with a population of over 1.21 billion. The population has stabilized in the developed world but India still grapples with the control of fast growing population. Family planning promotion and population stabilization is the priority for the government of India in order to keep pace of socio economic growth. The study was aimed to assess the awareness and practice of contraception among reproductive age group women.

Materials and methods: It is a cross-sectional study carried out from May 2015 to July 2015 among 150 reproductive age group (15-45 years) women attendees of urban slum health center of Owaisi Hospital and Research Center. Unmarried, pregnant, post-menopausal women and those who did not give consent were excluded from the study.

Results: The mean age of the study participants was 30.35 years (SD 6.98 years). 89.33% of the participants were aware of contraception. For majority (67.91%), source of awareness was from friends and relatives. 59.33% of the participants were using one or the other methods of contraception. The major reason for usage of contraception was completion of family (28.66%) followed by birth spacing (18.66%). Regarding reasons for not using contraceptives 16% women were willing to have more children, 10% women mentioned partner opposition, 8.66% women had no knowledge of contraceptives and 6% women feared side effects in future.

Conclusion: The awareness of contraception was 89.33% but only 59.33% were practicing. Tubectomy (21.33%) was the most chosen method of contraception. The awareness regarding tubectomy was higher than spacing methods. The contraceptive use increased with increase in age and parity of the women.