Abstract: Background: According to the first national study of the incidence of abortion and unintended pregnancy in India, an estimated 15.6 million abortions were performed in the country. The current study was done to determine awareness among Indian women regarding abortions and its legalities as well as post partum intra uterine device.
Aims and Objective: To know the status of knowledge, awareness and practices of abortion services and PPIUCD in women
Materials and Methods: A study was done between January to December 2019 among 9359 women who attended the outpatient department of obstetrics and gynaecology and family planning department at Muzaffarnagar medical college, which is a tertiary care institute at important district of Uttar Pradesh, Muzaffarnagar by using predesigned, pretested questionnaire. The patients were then assessed based on demographic factors like age, literacy, socioeconomic scale and occupation. They were asked about their personal experience and their awareness about legal status of abortion in India, eligible provider and site.
Results: Among 9359 women enrolled, 6084 (65%) were in the age group of 20–30 years and majority 3002(32.1%) belonged to lower middle class; 5616 (60%) were illiterate. Only 2340(25%) knew about the legalities of abortion and 1498(16%) about eligible provider. In 4264(67%) cases, MTP were self prescribed, out of which and 764(12%) developed major life threatening complication and saved and 40% chronic morbidity.4475 (70%) not adopted any post abortal contraceptive method.
Conclusion: The current study found that almost 75% of the women were unaware of legal status of abortion in India and 67% women have self prescribed MTP. Post abortal contraception counselling and adoption need attention as only 30% adopted any regular method. There is free availability of MTP KIT at counter.
Hence, the urgent need of the hour is to reduce unintended pregnancies, by promoting PPIUCD, creating more awareness about availability of safe and legal abortion practices in India among public and health workers with emphasis for post abortion contraceptive counselling.
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