A study on assessment of unmet need and contraceptives practices adopted among currently married females residing at urban slums of Ahmedabad

Abstract

Background: India is a country where population is rapidly growing, to slow down this growth rate family planning is necessary. Family planning services have the potential to improve the quality of the lives and economic welfare of people. Aim of the study was to assess prevalence of unmet need, knowledge, attitude regarding family planning methods and contraceptive practices, among study participants.Methods: A cross- sectional study was carried out among females of early reproductive age group 18-25 years, Group-1 and late reproductive age group 35-49 years, Group-2Results: Out of 200 women, majority respondents belonged to age group of 22-25 years (44.5%). Females of both age-groups had almost similar (54% and 53%) knowledge “partially correct” type for objectives of family planning and had similar positive attitude (78% and 85%) towards family planning practices. Total 45% of group 1 and 55% of other group females were currently using contraception. Most common method used by group 1 women was Intra Uterine Devices (35.5%), followed by Oral Contraceptive pills (31.2%) and in group 2 women was permanent sterilization (74.5%) followed by barrier and Intra Uterine Devices (9.1% each). Unmet need of family planning was 29% and 18% among early and late reproductive age groups, respectively.Conclusions: Unmet need of family planning was higher among early age group females. In both age groups, utilization of contraceptives were less because of lack of awareness and fear of side effect.