CONTRACEPTIVE BEHAVIOUR OF COUPLES AND ITS CORRELATES IN A RURAL COMMUNITY

Meghna Walia and Dr. Anshu Mittal*

ABSTRACT

Context: Population explosion in developing countries is a major problem which neutralizes all the gains and developments achieved in the country. One of the main reasons for population growth is the low prevalence rate of contraceptive use. Objectives: 1) To investigate contraceptive behavior of couples. 2) To identify patterns and factors associated with awareness and practice of contraception. Methods: A cross-sectional study under STS scheme of ICMR was conducted among 104 married women aged 18-49 years in a rural community attached with a teaching institution. Study variables included socio- demographic characteristics, reproductive health characteristics, interpersonal communication with spouse and care by spouse. Results: Contraceptive prevalence rate was found to be 59.6% against contraceptive awareness of 79.8%. About 54.0% women were aware of female sterilization but only 3.2 % practiced it. Illiterate and less educated women irrespective of their ages were found more likely of having no contraceptive awareness and not using contraceptives. Lack of knowledge and no faith in family planning came out to be the most common reasons of not using any contraceptive. Conclusions and Suggestions: Efforts should be made for improving literacy of women for increasing awareness and use of contraceptives in order to reduce unwanted births.

Keywords: Births aversion; Contraceptive awareness; Contraceptive practice; Unmet need of contraception; Unwanted Births.