An epidemiological study analyzing knowledge, attitude and practice towards contraception among married women of reproductive age group having less than or equal to 2 children coming to OPD of Beri Maternity Centre, G T road, Amritsar, Punjab

Abstract

Introduction: India is among those countries which have high maternal mortality rate. The current MMR is 212 per lakh live births.9 Most maternal deaths occur during pregnancy, child birth and post natal period; hemorrhage, eclampsia, sepsis, obstructed labour and unsafe abortions being the direct causes. Indirect causes include Anemia, Malaria and HIV/AIDS. Most of these causes can be largely preventable by appropriate utilization of maternal health services including family planning and contraception. Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) is a crucial element for success of contraceptives because there use is something highly personal, but little information is available from developing countries especially India where population explosion has lately been recognized as a major health problem. Thus this study is formulated with the objective of assessing the knowledge, attitudes and practices of married women of reproductive age group having ≤ 2 children in an effort to fill the gaps in information.Methods: Inclusion criteria: Married women of reproductive age group having ≤ 2 children Exclusion criteria1. Pregnant women.2. Refusal to participate.It was a cross-sectional study in which a pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire was used in form of proformas to record the information. A total of 100 married women selected through purposive sampling technique were interviewed. Knowledge and use of different contraceptive methods was assessed. The data was collected, compiled and analyzed statistically, and valid conclusions were drawn.