Determination of prevalence, knowledge, attitude and practices of contraceptive use in an urban population in South India: a community based study

Abstract

Background: Family planning influences mothers and infant’s health, population growth and regional and national development. Studying the knowledge, attitude and practice of contraceptive methods of a region aids in overcoming the barriers in the utilization of the services providing them.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was done among 350 married women of an urban population by systematic random sampling using a structured questionnaire.Results: From a total of 350 women enrolled, majority were of the Hindu religion (84.9%) and from the lower socio-economic status (68%). The prevalence of use of contraceptive methods was 75.4% and it was predominantly female sterilization. It was significantly higher (p<0.001) in women aged above 32 years, married for more than 10 years, having more than two children and last child birth of more than seven years. Only 142 (40.6%) of the participants had adequate knowledge of contraceptive methods. However, 299 (85.4%) had a positive attitude to contraception and 296 (84.6%) had good practice of family planning (FP) methods.Conclusions: The knowledge and use of contraceptive methods especially temporary methods needs to be improved in our community. The utilization of media can be improved in addressing this shortfall. Health care providers being the bulk source of information on contraceptive methods must be pro-active in every interaction with women and men of reproductive age group by providing information on the various methods.