A Cross Sectional Study of Contraceptive Uses and Unmet Need for Family Planning Among Rural Population of Vadodara.

Abstract

Introduction: Unmet need of contraception remains a national problem. The study was conducted among the eligible couples of rural area of Vadodara district, India, to assess the unmet need for contraception and to determine the use of different types of contraception along with the reasons associated with the unmet needs of contraception. Objective: This study aimed to measure the prevalence of contraception and reasons for unmet need of contraception. Methods: This was community based cross-sectional study. In this study 100 couples who were sexually active, fecund and in which women are in reproductive age group were enrolled. The sample population was selected by two stage random sampling method. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents with written consent. Results: This study enlighten that, in a rural area 72% of eligible couple was practicing any type of family planning method. Unmet need for contraception was 20 per cent. Among those having unmet need (n=20), lack of knowledge (55%), ignorance (25%), inaccessibility (10%) and non-affordability (10%) were responsible factors for unmet need. Conclusion: This study revealed lack of knowledge was the main reason for the unmet need of contraception among study population. Government should have to organise frequent family planning awareness programme at community level.