1Assistant Professor, Department of CHN SKSS College of Nursing, Sarabha, Ludhiana, Punjab.
2Associate Professor, Department of CHN SKSS College of Nursing, Sarabha, Ludhiana, Punjab.
*Corresponding Author E-mail:
ABSTRACT:
Background: India is projected to be the most populous country according to United Nations’ therefore, the knowledge and awareness of contraceptive methods is of utmost important for small family norms and to increase inter-pregnancy interval, so that we can achieve optimum maternal and child outcomes. Women, men or couples can choose from many contraceptive methods to help them plan for their family and prevent unplanned pregnancy. Aim: A study on the knowledge and practice regarding family planning methods among women of reproductive age group. Materials and Methods: A quantitative research approach was used for this study. This study was carried out in rural areas (Pakhowal and Sarabha) the sample consisted of 191 of reproductive age group and selected by using convenience sampling technique. Data was collected by administration self-structure knowledge questionnaire to assess the level of knowledge regarding family planning methods and checklist for practice to assess the practice among the women of reproductive age group. Results: The results showed that there was good level of knowledge regarding family planning methods. Moreover 71.9% of women were using natural contraceptive methods, 24.7% of women were using temporary method whereas 3.3% of women were using permanent method (Tubectomy). Educational was found to be significant at the value of <0.05. The value of age (in years), occupational, duration of menstrual cycle, age at the time of marriage were non – significant at the value of >0.05. Conclusion: The study was conducted that there was good level of knowledge and use of natural contraceptive was highest among women of reproductive age group of selected rural areas..
KEYWORDS: Family planning, Family Planning Methods, Reproductive Age Group.
INTRODUCTION:
Family planning (FP) is defined as a way of thinking and living that is adopted voluntary upon the bases of knowledge, attitude and responsible decisions by individuals and couples. Family planning refers to a conscious effort by a couple to limit or space the number of children they have through the use the contraceptive methods. Family planning deals with the reproductive health of the mother, having adequate birth spacing, avoiding undesired pregnancy and abortions, preventing sexual transmitted diseases and improving the quality of life of mother, fetus and family as a whole. Currently short term modern family planning method are available at all level of government and private, while long term method is being provided in health center, private clinic. Different researcher showed that the highest awareness but low utilization of contraceptive making a situation a serious challenge for the women.1
Lack of awareness, knowledge and education, religious beliefs and a fear of side effects are the Main cause why women do not use family planning methods. Further, the levels of unwanted pregnancy have been quiet high in India among young married women. Female sin early reproductive age are most of the time unaware about the availability of various contraceptive methods and have unplanned pregnancy. In the late reproductive age group females are attaining menopause and having a irregular cycle which may lead to unwanted pregnancy if they are not using regular contraceptive method.2
Contraceptive methods are effective, safe and low cost strategies to avoid undesired pregnancy. Contraceptive methods are available for both males and females but most of them are female reproductive orientated, therefore it is necessary to have proper knowledge started the various reproductive program at local as well as national level bit in spite of all efforts awareness and acceptance level of contraception is still low in the many parts of country. Formulated the national family program. The objective of the plan was to reduce the birth rate up to the level necessary to stabilize the population and carrying capacity.3
NEED OF STUDY:
Family planning offers positive knowledge and practices of reproductive life therefore, enhances couples to make informed choices about their reproduction lifestyle, health and well- being. However, about 19 million unsafe abortions take place worldwide each year.
A study to assess the practice and knowledge regarding family planning methods among reproductive age group women in selected rural areas district Ludhiana, Punjab.
1. To assess and compare the knowledge and practice regarding family planning methods among women of reproductive age group.
2. To find out the association of knowledge with selected socio-bio demographic variables among women of reproductive age group.
3. To provide information communication education (IEC) material on family planning methods in the form of booklet.
1. Assess: It refers to the evaluation of knowledge and practice regarding family planning methods among women reproductive age group.
2. Knowledge: It refers to information that respondents give in the form of written responses to test items (MCQ) on family planning methods as assessed by self – structured knowledge questionnaire.
3. Practice: It refers to the choice of ways of contraceptive methods used by the couple in their married life as per their experience.
4. Reproductive age: It refers to married women of reproductive age group between 19 years to till menopause.
5. Family planning methods: It refers to the couple using temporary or permanent contraceptive methods in order to avoid unwanted conception.
The women of reproductive age group have little knowledge regarding family planning methods.
Non - Experimental descriptive research design was used to assess the knowledge and practice regarding family planning methods among women of reproductive age group in selected rural areas of district Ludhiana, Punjab.
In present research study variables were:
· Level of knowledge
· Level of practice
It includes:
Age ( in years ), Education, Occupation, Type of family, Income of family, Source of information
· The study was conducted in Sarabha, village district Ludhiana, Punjab.
· Village Pakhowal, district Ludhiana, Punjab.
The target population of present study consists of women of reproductive age group (19 –45) in Sarabha Ludhiana, Punjab.
Women of reproductive age group of (19- 45) years were selected from target population by convenience sampling technique. The sample was 191 of women of reproductive age group from Sarabha district, Ludhiana Punjab.
The study was conducted on 191 of women of reproductive age group in selected rural areas of district Ludhiana, Punjab.
It is divided into three parts:
Table 1: Frequency and percentage distribution regarding family planning methods among women of reproductive age as per socio-demographic profile N 191
|
Socio-demographic profile |
f (%) |
|
Age (in years) |
|
|
19-24 |
59 (30.8) |
|
25-31 |
86 (45) |
|
32-38 |
28 (14.7) |
|
39-45 |
18 (9.4) |
|
Name of village: |
|
|
Sarabha |
100 (52.4) |
|
Pakhowal |
91 (47.6) |
|
Education: |
|
|
Literate |
174 (91.1) |
|
Illiterate |
17 (8.9) |
|
Occupation: |
|
|
Working |
59 (30.9) |
|
Non-working |
132 (69.1) |
|
Type of family: |
|
|
Nuclear |
119 (62.3) |
|
Joint |
68 (35.6) |
|
Extended |
4 (2) |
|
Income of family |
|
|
Upper class |
12 (6.3) |
Table-1 depicts the frequency and percentage of women of reproductive age group were distributed into various categories according to age, education, occupation, type of family, source of information.
Table 2: Level of knowledge regarding family planning methods among women of reproductive age group.
|
Level Of Knowledge |
Score |
F (%) |
|
Excellent |
19-24 |
13 (6.8) |
|
Good |
13-18 |
100 (52.3) |
|
Average |
7-12 |
68 (35.6) |
|
Below average |
0-6 |
10 (5.2) |
Maximum = 24,
Minimum = 0,
Mean±SD = 13.25±4.1
Table 2 - depicts that more than half of reproductive age group women i.e. 52.3% had good level of knowledge followed by 35.6% who had average level of knowledge 5.2% had below average and 6.8% had excellent knowledge.
Hence it had seen that more than half of reproductive age group women had a good level of knowledge regarding family planning methods.
Figure 1: Frequency distribution of Practice regarding family planning methods among women of reproductive age group
Table 3: Practices related to family planning methods among women of reproductive age group. N=191
|
Practices |
f (%) |
|
Using contraceptive methods Yes No |
178 (93.1) 13 (6.8) |
|
Method of contraceptive used: Natural Temporary Permanent |
(n=178) 128 (71.9) 44 (24.7) 6 (3.3) |
|
1. Natural Method (n= 128) |
f (%) |
|
Use of natural methods: Lactation and Amenorrhea method (LAM) Absenteeism Calendar method Withdrawal |
64 (50) 25 (19.5) 28 (21.8) 24 (18.7) |
|
Source of information about natural method Doctor/Nurse/Other health worker Friends/peer Partner Mass media |
50 (39) 35 (27.3) 21 (16.4) 22 (17.1) |
|
2. Temporary Method (n= 44) |
|
|
Temporary methods currently used: Condom Copper-T Oral pills |
32 (72.7) 4 (9.09) 6 (13.6) |
|
2.1 Condom Method (n=32) |
f (%) |
|
Source of buying condom: Medical store PHC/CHC Private hospitals |
22 (68.8) 9 (28.1) 1 (3.1) |
|
Any pregnancy after using condom: Yes No |
3 (9.3) 29 (90.6) |
|
Frequency of same condom: Single use Two time Three time or more |
24 (75) 8 (25) ------- |
|
Place of discarding condom: Public place General place Deep burial Burning |
4 (12.5) 22 (68.5) 3 (9.37) 3 (9.37) |
|
2.2 Copper-T (n=4) |
f (%) |
|
Replacement of CU-T: After 5 years After 10 years |
3 (75) 1 (25) |
|
Place of CU-T insertion: CHC PHC Sub centre Private hospital |
2 (50) 1 (25) 1 (25) ------- |
|
Advantages of CU-T: Don’t interfere with interfere No restriction on use for age 25 or more |
2 (50) 2 (50) |
|
Side effect of CU-T: No side effect Backache Lower abdominal pain Bleeding |
2 (50) 1 (25) 1 (25) ------- |
|
2.3 Mala-D (n=6) |
f (%) |
|
Place of getting Mala-D: PHC/CHC/Sub centre Private hospital |
2 (33.3) 2 (33.3) |
|
Drug store ANM/ASHA worker |
2 (33.3) -------- |
|
Advantages of Mala-D: Is easily available Requires no prescription Is easy to take Is cheap |
3 (50) 1 (16.6) 2 (33.3) --------- |
|
Side effects of Mala-D: No side effects Painful menstruation Any other (weight gain) Irregular or excessive bleeding |
2 (33.3) 1 (16.6) 2 (33.3) 1 (16.6) |
|
Frequency of oral pills: Regularly Once in a week After one week On alternative days |
1 (16.6) 1 (16.6) 1 (16.6) 3 (50) |
|
2.4 Emergency (n=2) |
f (%) |
|
Time period to take emergency pills Within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse 3 days |
1 (50) 1 (50) |
|
Source of information about pills Mass media Partner |
1 (50) 1 (50) |
|
Side effect of I-pills Lower abdominal pain |
1 (50) |
|
Pain |
1 (50) |
|
3. Permanent Method (Tubectomy) (n= 6) |
f (%) |
|
Type of hospital Private hospital Government hospital CHC |
3 (50) 2 (33.3) 1 (16.6) |
|
Stay at hospital (in days) 1 2 - 3 < 3 |
4 (66.6) 1 (16.6) 1 (16.6) |
|
Complication of Tubectomy Pain No complication Infection |
2 (33.3) 4 (66.6) ----- |
|
Preference of permanent method |
|
|
There is no long health risks It is a permanent method |
4 (66.6) 2 (33.3) |
MAJOR FINDING:
· Most (69.6%) of women of reproductive age group came under duration of menstrual cycle 4-6 days. The mean days was 13.6±3.9.
· Most (61.2%) of women of reproductive age group age at the time of marriage was 19-24 years.
· Most (52.3%) of women of reproductive age group gravida and parity was 2 times.
· Most (49.7%) of women of reproductive age group live birth was 2 times.
· Most (99.4%) of women of reproductive age group abortion was 0 times.
· Most (97.3%) of women of reproductive age group still birth was 0 times.
· The mean±SD of knowledge regarding family planning methods among the women of reproductive age group was13.25±4.1.
· Association of socio-demographic variables with knowledge of literate group (p=.001*) level of significance.
· On the basis if analysis the following result reached.
· On the basis of the results of the study most of the (52.3%) women of reproductive age group had good knowledge regarding family planning methods.
· 71.9% of women were using natural methods,
24.7% of women were using temporary methods and 3.3% of women were using
permanent method.
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2. Geriya.D. R, Shah. V. R., Dave.V. R, Sonallya.K.N. A study on assessment of unmet need and of contraceptive practices adopted among current married females. Int J Community Med Public Health Title(s). 2021; 8(4): 1863-67. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350406331.
3. Timsy, Kaur. A, Kaur. N, Kaur. S, Shiwani, Nikhil. Assess the knowledge of married women in reproductive age group regarding the contraceptive method. Med. Legal Update. 2021; 21(3): 525-35. Available from: https://in.docworkspace.com/d/sILuBnKrJAfiv86EG
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Received on 27.09.2024 Revised on 12.12.2024 Accepted on 15.01.2025 Published on 25.02.2025 Available online from March 24, 2025 A and V Pub J. of Nursing and Medical Res. 2025;4(1):5-8. DOI: 10.52711/jnmr.2025.02 ©A and V Publications All right reserved
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