Awareness, Attitude and Practice of Contraception among Outpatient Women in a Tertiary Care Hospital - A Cross Sectional Study

Dr. P.S. Jikkikalaiselvi; Dr. Shanthi Dinakaran; Dr. N. Sathya; Dr. Baluswamy Gayatri

Volume : VIII, Issue : I, January - 2019

Awareness, Attitude and Practice of Contraception among Outpatient Women in a Tertiary Care Hospital - A Cross Sectional Study

Dr. P. S. Jikkikalaiselvi, Dr. Shanthi Dinakaran, Dr. N. Sathya, Dr. Baluswamy Gayatri

Abstract :

Background: Family planning services have the potential to improve the quality of the lives of people and their economic welfare. The objective of the study was to assess the level of awareness, attitude, and also to find out the current practice of contraceptive method by women who attending the outpatient department in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This was a cross–sectional study conducted over a period of 2 months at ARC medical college hospital. 102 women who attending outpatient department of obstetrics and gynecology were randomly selected and were interviewed with predesigned questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using percentage and statistical methods. Results: Majority of the women in the study was between 25 to 29 years (31.4%) and had literacy level of education (93.1%). It was observed that with increase in level of education, awareness of any one of the Family planning methods also increased (94.1%). About 73.5% of them were aware of more than one method of contraception. Cu T (85.3%) was the most heard about method followed by Condom (50%). About 84.3% of these women gave a history of usage of contraception. Only 10.8% of them had used temporary method. Sterilization (73.5%) was considered the safest option among the contraceptive choices followed. Media and Hospital circle (63.7%) played a major role followed by Friends and Elders as source of knowledge. 15.7% of women did not accept any one of the family welfare methods. Most of the women did not use any contraception because of fear (18.8%), religions (8.3%). Conclusions: The high contraceptive awareness and educational level did not reflect on the contraceptive usage level in this study. Hence proper counseling and education is required to motivate the women for contraceptive usage and eradication of myths involving the risks of using contraception