To assess the prevalence of knowledge level and practice of Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) as a method of contraception among women admitted in postnatal ward of a tertiary care teaching hospital

Abstract

Background: Lactation is a natural defence against pregnancy. As long as a mother is nursing, she is delaying the return of fertility. This study aimed at evaluating the state of knowledge, among mothers of infants aged 0-6 months, on lactational amenorrhea as a contraceptive method, as well as these women's breastfeeding habitsMethods: In this study, a total of n=300 mothers were included. A questionnaire was used to interview one-on-one the mothers of infants aged 0-6 months, who had consented to such an interview. Results: Out of 300 total respondents, only 121(24%) of them had prior knowledge about LAM and 201 of them had prior knowledge about contraceptive methods. About 276(92.0%) were housewives by occupation and 24(8.0%) were working mothers. Primigravidas used contraception in the past and also had prior knowledge about LAM as compared to Multigravidas. Anganwadi workers provided knowledge to 17 of the totals, 40 of them got knowledge from relatives, Medical and paramedical workers educated 49 of them, 3 got it from the internet and 7 of them were self-acquired. Conclusion: This study although small in size localized in a particular geographical area and covering almost similar socioeconomic profile, has a strong message that if proper and sustained counselling is done the dual purpose of exclusive breastfeeding and a method of natural family planning can be achieved.