Abstract
Objective:To find out the particulars regarding contraceptive practices in the postpartum period and to see its impact on prolonging interpregnancy interval (IPI).Methods:A cross sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Unit 3, Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad from 1st July to 31st December 2018. Out of 2100 total deliveries, 398 postpartum women with second or higher order births were included. Pregnant women, primiparas and those who were not willing to participate were excluded. They were interviewed face to face by principal investigator and her team members and required information was collected on predesigned Performa. Outcome variable was interpregnancy interval in months. Chi-square test was used to see associationResults:Postpartum contraception utilization (PPC) was 24.6%(n=398). Most of the women choose condoms as contraceptive method (n=41, 10.3%) followed by oral contraceptive pills (n=18, 4.5%) and intra uterine contraceptive device (n=16,4%). Method related issues were the chief reasons for discontinuation while desire to have another child soon and spouse/family disapproval were among the reasons mentioned largely by non-utilizers of modern methods of family planning. The average interpregnancy interval was 16.4±1.45. Significant association was observed between interpregnancy interval and postpartum contraception use, particularly in the users of long acting reversible contraceptive methods (P-Value 0.0001).Conclusion:Uptake and continuation of modern methods of contraception was low after last birth culminating in short interpregnancy interval. Optimal IPI was observed in those utilizing modern methods of family planning, with marked effect in users of long acting reversible contraceptive methods.
Highlights
World Health Organization has acknowledged family planning as one of the major interventions to improve the health as well as to save the precious lives of mothers and children worldwide.[1]
Effective family planning is important during entire reproductive life of women but contraception utilization during postpartum period is vital as this period holds utmost threat for safety of mother and child
A study conducted in five low income countries including India, Pakistan, Zambia, Kenya and Guatemala revealed an unmet need ranging from 25% to 96% along with very low use of modern contraceptive methods long active reversible contraceptive methods.[4]
Summary
World Health Organization has acknowledged family planning as one of the major interventions to improve the health as well as to save the precious lives of mothers and children worldwide.[1]. Uptake of Post-partum contraception has remarkable effect to prevent unintended pregnancies and improve maternal health. It has the potential to expand inter pregnancy intervals (IPI) and subsequent maternal and obstetrical complications like preterm labour, small for gestational age, low birth weight and maternal anaemia.[3] Despite high unmet need of family planning after birth, post-partum contraception use is very disappointing. A study conducted in five low income countries including India, Pakistan, Zambia, Kenya and Guatemala revealed an unmet need ranging from 25% to 96% along with very low use of modern contraceptive methods long active reversible contraceptive methods.[4] this study was planned to get recent insight of postpartum contraceptive practices among women accessing maternity services in a very busy and large public tertiary care hospital of Hyderabad Sindh with the primary objective of elaborating the prevalence and details of postpartum contraception utilization including type and duration of method used, reasons for discontinuation and non-utilization. The rationale is to provide data for policy makers, stake holders, scholars and health care providers in planning and implementing policies to boost family planning services in order to improve maternal health and control rapid population expansion
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
