Contraceptive Method Preferences among Married Women of Age 18 to 30 Years Attending Tertiary Care Centre in Maharashtra

Abstract

Background- Contraceptive methods are preventive methods to help women avoid unwanted pregnancies. They include temporary and permanent measures to prevent pregnancy resulting from coitus. Indian women prefer to avoid unwanted pregnancy, but appropriate information which affects the decision of contraception is not accessible to everyone. Preference of contraceptive method/s depends on multiple factors. Aim- to study the preferred method of contraception among women of age 18 to 30 years attending a tertiary care centre. Materials and Methods- The cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 married women of age 18 to 30 years attending BVP RMC Loni, Maharashtra. The study duration was of 5 months (December 2023 to April 2024). Pregnant, lactating women were excluded. After taking written informed consent, sociodemographic details and contraception details were recorded. Microsoft Excel 2013 and pspp version 1.0.1 were used for the analysis of the gathered data. Results- Out of 200 participants, only 83 participants were using contraception. Thus prevalence of participants using contraception was 41.5%. Out of those 83 participants who were using contraception, majority i.e 35% participants used traditional method like withdrawal and/or rhythm method, 25% used IUD, 16 % participants preferred OC pills or emergency pills, 8% used combination of any two or more methods, 6% used male condoms, 6% were sterilised, 4% used injectable contraceptive. No participant’s husband had undergone vasectomy. Conclusion - Health education about contraceptive methods is needed. Health and social awareness is needed in men about sharing the burden of contraception.