Perceptions, Couple Motivation to Avoid Pregnancy, Approval of Contraceptives and Reasons of Non Acceptance of Contraception Among Married Women Having Unmet Need of Contraception in a Selected Rural Community, West Bengal

Abstract

Introduction: Unmet need for contraceptionsis the condition in which there is the desire to avoid or post-pone child bearing, without the use of any means of contraception.Objectives: This study was carried out to identify Perceptions, couple motivation to avoid pregnancy and reasons of non acceptance of contraception among married women having unmet need of contraception Method: The cross-sectional community based observational study was conducted at Chakberia&Kustia villages of Kalikapursubcentre of Sonarpur block of south 24 Parganas in West Bengal Data were collected by direct interviewing using valid and reliable interview schedule from 100 married women with specific sampling criteria. The collected data were tabulated and statistically analyzed.Results: Out of 100 married women having unmet need of contraception, 58% women had unmet need for limiting and 42% women had unmet need for spacing. 27% and 18% women verbalized as they practicing withdrawal and calendar method, so they didn't use any contraceptives. Most common perceived contraceptive was oral pill. Only 28% women had strong Social familial individual approval for contraceptives; 32% women were moderately to poorly motivated to avoid pregnancy.