STUDY OF AWARENESS, ATTITUDE, PRACTICE OF CONTRACEPTIVES IN REPRODUCTIVE AGE GROUP FEMALES (AGE GROUP -20-40 YRS)

Abstract

Background: India was the first country in the world to formulatethe national family planning programme in the year 1952 ,Family planning can avert more than 30% of maternal deaths and 10% of child mortality if couples spaced their pregnancies more than 2 years apart with the objective of reducing the birth rate to the extent necessary to stabilize the population at level consistent with requirement of national economy. (1 ),As per WHO reproductive age group is 15-49 year female ,but we have selected age group 20-40 year female.This study is an observational study looking at Keeping all the facts in view this stand was carried and to assess the awareness, Attitude and Practice of contraceptive methods among reproductive age group females.

Method: The prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, at Tertiary care hospital during a period of 18 months from Jan 2020 to August 2021 to the awareness, attitude and practice of contraceptive methods amongst reproductive age females, (20-40yr female). During this study period a total of 125 sexually active females of age between 20-40years were enrolled in the study.

Result: it was observed that 93.6% of women had heard about family planning, 91.20% of women were aware of contraceptives and 79.20% of women knows where to get contraceptives from.11 women (8.8%) were not aware of contraceptives.

Conclusion: Although India has a National Family planning program since 1952 at the primary care level and major efforts have

been taken from time to time to improve its coverage and accessibility by involving the primary care level workers, but increasing program coverage is not enough unless all eligible women have adequate awareness as well as favorable attitude and a correct and consistent practicing of family planning methods as per their need. Increase of awareness, knowledge, and favorable attitude for family planning activities of eligible women are strongly recommended.