ASSESSMENT OF FAMILY PLANNING KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE AMONG MARRIED COUPLES

Abstract

Background: Family planning affect reproductive health of the mother, throughhaving adequate birth spacing, avoiding undesired pregnancies and abortions& improvingthe QoL of family. Aim: The study aimed to assess family planning knowledge and practiceamong married couples. Design: A cross sectional descriptive design was utilized. Setting:The study was carried out at medical family center and all obstetric private clinics in MinetSandob village. Subjects: A purposive sample consisted of 176 married couples who metthe inclusion criteria. Tool: 3tools were used 1sta structured interview questionnaire, 2ndtool family planning knowledge and 3rd tool family planning practical scale. Results:69.9% wives had poor knowledge regarding family planning methods. While the wiveshigher than their husbands about total score of knowledge. 40.3% of wives, 38.1% ofhusbands were satisfied with health unit role in providing information about FP.76.1% ofwives, 71% of husbands had information from television. 57.4% of wives used IUD. Whileusing condom 28.4% of husband's, 55.7% of husband used natural methods. Conclusion:The study concluded that wives had more knowledge about FP more than their husbands.Main reasons for prefer to use FPM is more comfortable, long duration of work, in otherside reasons rejection of using family planning methods are irregular bleeding, difficult tomaintain and control. Recommendation: Increase awareness of married couples aboutfamily planning methods.