Study of fertility pattern and contraceptive practices in a rural area - A cross-sectional study

Abstract

India is the first country to implement national family planning programme in 1952. Even today the acceptance and knowledge of contraceptive methods varies within the societies and factors responsible operate at the individual, family and community level. Thus the objective of this research was to study the fertility pattern and factors influencing the acceptance of contraception in rural area. A cross-sectional study was carried out in rural field practice area, Yadwad, in Dharwad district of India. A house to house survey was done covering a total of 430 married women in the age group of 15-49 years by personal interview and data was collected on pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done using chi-square test. Majority women (64.65%) were in the age group of 15-34 years. Consummation of marriage in 15-19 years age group was 56%. Acceptance of contraception increased as age of woman increased. 94% of women adopted permanent methods of contraception with 3 or more living children. Religion and education had no influence on acceptance of contraception. In the present study the couple protection rate was 60.70%. Factors influencing fertility and contraceptive practices should be properly assessed and addressed. Newly married couples should be motivated for accepting spacing methods.