A knowledge, attitude and practice study on awareness of contraception among postpartum women in a tertiary care centre

Abstract

Despite being the first country to launch the National Family Planning Programme in 1952, India still lags behind in practising contraception. This study was conducted to assess knowledge, awareness and practice methods of contraception during the postpartum period. The study included 720 postpartum women; details including awareness and practice methods of contraception and factors affecting use by the postpartum women were obtained. Statistical analysis was done by using the chi-square test and percentage (%). The mean age of postpartum women was 26.5 years, 28.19% were literate between 9th - 12th grade, 96.94% women were housewives. Among them, 56% of women were aware of at least one contraception and correct usage. Among them, 98.01% knew about sterilization. About 48.88% of women were aware of more than one method of contraception. After counselling, 97.2% of women were willing to use contraception. However, 2.78% of patients chose abstinence. In our study, knowledge about contraception based on education and socio-economic status of women shows significant association (p-value <0.00001 for both). Health professionals should evaluate the level of awareness, create awareness and provide education regarding methods of contraception for use in the postpartum period to improve maternal and fetal outcome.