Contraceptive Awareness in Antenatal Women Attending Outpatient Department in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Contraception is a major component of reproductive health and reproductive health services that empower women will reduce the social and economic disruption in the society. The aim of the study was to assess the level of knowledge about different contraceptive choices and find current practice of contraceptive methods by antenatal women attending Outpatient department in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A crossectional questionnaire based study was conducted over an eight week period at Government Medical College Manjeri Kerala. 156 antenatal women were randomly selected and interviewed using predesigned questionnaire. Results: Majority were in the age group 26 to 30 years.90% was aware of some kind of contraception. Also, 90% were aware of needs of birth spacing. Condom was the most popular method followed by I-pill (emergency contraceptive -trade name).Only 50% gave history of contraceptive usage. Among choice of contraception in postpartum period, 33% chose sterilisation. Friends and neighbours were the main source of information, Reason for not using contraception was fear of side effects. Conclusion: While there is good contraceptive awareness, this is not matched by commensurate contraceptive prevalence; but situation can be bettered. There is need to tackle the obstacles to contraceptive uptake. Every available opportunity to provide reproductive counselling to women especially on contraception should be made use of. Family planning counselling during antenatal check up is likely to increase the acceptance of family planning methods in the post partum period.