Contraceptives utilization and barriers in Karnataka, Southern India: A survey on women residing in slums

Abstract

Background: Population explosion remains a major cause of concern in India. Although, the country became the first to implement a national population control programme in 1952, it is yet to effectively control its population growth. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the utilization and barriers for nonutilization of contraceptives among slum resident married women of Udupi district, Karnataka, India between October 2017 to July 2018 The survey involved 323 married women aged 18-45 years. Data were generated using self-developed and validated questionnaire. Generated data were analyzed using descriptive analysis. Results: The result of the study showed low utilization of contraceptives at 38.7%. Leading barriers for nonutilization are fear of side effects (65.2%), followed by desire for girl/boy child (31.3%), husbands' disapproval (25.8%), followed by 17.7% no family support (in-laws), lack of knowledge about contraceptive methods (25.3%), and lack of personal interest to use contraceptives (23.2%). The most frequently used method was tubectomy (73.6%). Copper T (14.4%) and male condom (8.0%) were predominant method among the temporary family planning methods used by the study population. Conclusions: The low contraceptive rate might be attributed by fear of side effects, desire for girl/boy child, husbands' and family (in-law) disapproval, lack of knowledge about contraceptive methods and lack of motivation to use. Education, encouragement of health education programs and involvement of the spouse and inlaws might promote contraceptive utilization in slum dwellers.

Contraceptive Practices and the Reasons for Non-Utilization of Contraceptives among Married Women in an Urban Slum

“…High levels of unmet need for family planning and unintended pregnancies continue to persist, indicating the presence of barriers that hinder the effective use of contraception. The barriers identified by this study are in agreement with other studies that have cited similar [13][14][15]19 reasons for the non-utilization of contraception.…”

Strategies to enhance indigenous men’s support for utilisation of LARCs among women in Kiboga and Rubanda districts in Uganda

“…This is also supported by the ndings from a study done in Kenya which found that the preference for boys was the reason why families with few boys and many girls avoid using contraceptives. Similarly, low contraceptive utilisation due to a desire for boys over girls was also con rmed in a study done in India [75].…”

Challenges in Modern Contraception Access among Married Bonda Women: Insights from a Qualitative Study on Family Planning Barriers and Healthcare Dynamics

“…While most individuals in the region are familiar with at least three types of family planning (FP) methods, there is a gap in preparedness for future use or guidance from others. Despite awareness of modern contraceptives, a limited percentage of women possess knowledge about family planning methods, as evidenced by previous studies (Swamy et al, 2017) (Mishra et al, 2017), (Ochako et al, 2018), (Palo et al, 2020), (Mushy et al, 2020), and (Sowmya et al, 2020), (Sekine et al, 2021). (Prusty, 2014) reported that even though tribal women were aware of FP methods in Jharkhand, only 17% utilized any modern contraception, in contrast to 39% of nontribal women.…”