A Study on Contraceptive Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among Reproductive age Group Women in a Tertiary Institute

Aim and Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude regarding family planning methods and contraceptive practices among reproductive age group women. Methodology: 500 women in the reproductive age group 15-45years attending Government General Hospital, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India were interviewed with predesigned questionnaire after taking informed consent. Results: Most of the women interviewed fall in the age group of 21-30years (48%). 91% are married for 5years. 46% are illiterates and only 17.6% had primary education. Out of 500 women interviewed 484 (96.8%) had heard/aware of family planning method (permanent/temporary). Out of 484 women, who had knowledge and awareness of family planning methods about 328 (67.77%) got information from social circle (husband, mother/ in laws). The importance of and use of contraception has been explained by health personnel to 68 (14%) and 88 (18.18%) got it through mass media. Out of 500 women interviewed, 269 (53.8%) were practicing different contraceptive methods. Most of them 135 (50.18%), resort to tubal ligation as a contraceptive method of choice and the reason being completion of their family in 178 (66.17%). Only 66 (24.5%) women used various methods for spacing. Only 11(4%) women used OCP as a contraceptive method as against 106(21.9%) women having knowledge about them. Conclusions: Lack of knowledge regarding the various methods of contraception is the reason for not practicing family planning methods. There is need for focused awareness program based on the knowledge gaps reported among women in reproductive age group.