International Journal of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Introduction: Contraception is an important intervention to decrease unwanted pregnancies and promote healthy and better living among women. As the population continues to rise, there will be overcrowding, a limiting of resources, and the quality of life will decline. India, as the first country in the world, initiated the National Family Planning program in the year 1951 with the objective of “reducing the birth rate to the extent necessary to stabilize the population at a level consistent with requirement of national economy.”

Methodology: It is a cross sectional questionnaire-based study carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Government Maternity Hospital, Tirupati. A total of 300 postpartum women were enrolled in the study who are briefed about study. After taking informed consent, they were interviewed based on a predesigned questionnaire they were allowed to choose any method of contraception they like. Their level of awareness, acceptance, and reason for refusal was assessed.

Results: Among 300 women in the study group, more than 80% were in the age group of 15 to 30 years.51.7% women in urban areas, 48.3% women in rural areas. Majority of the women were Hindus. 89.3% women were literates and majority of them were house wives. Most of the women had only one living issue. It was observed that both were highest in educated working women, urban population. Acceptance was highest in women with 2 to 3 children. Maximum number of women were aware of female sterilization (90.1%), condoms (88%), intra uterine device (77.6%), OC pills (75.2%), POP’s (56%). Knowledge regarding emergency contraception was very low (2.9%).

Conclusion: There is still date lack of awareness of contraception in some postpartum women. Regular counselling is a must to all pregnant women from every health care centre in a village to super speciality centres in cities. Information should be provided about various methods of contraception and patient should be able to choose a method of her choice.