Publication:

Knowledge and attitude towards contraceptive methods for spacing and decision making factors regarding its use in postpartum women

Background Though the permanent methods have been successful in our country the spacing methods lag behind and unwanted unplanned pregnancies continue to be high. This study was undertaken to explore the knowledge level, attitude and the factors influencing the potential use of spacing contraception among recently delivered women.

Methods This cross sectional study was carried out in a teaching institution using a structured questionnaire among recently delivered women willing to participate in the study.

Results Among the 404 women studied 74% were primipara. The level of awareness about spacing contraception was 70% though only 30% knew the correct use. The most frequent source of information was social circle and friends. Two thirds of women felt the need for spacing but 65.8% were not willing to adopt any modern method for fear of side effects and want of husband approval. Bivariate analysis showed that prenatal counselling (X2=41.33 P<0.001) and higher education (X2=16.6 P<0.001) were significant predictors of knowledge about spacing contraception. On bivariate analysis prenatal counselling (X2=3.83p<0.05) and prior discussion with husbands (X2=17.4 P=0.001) emerged to be the most significant predictors of positive attitude towards contraception. On multivariate analysis prior discussion with husband emerged as the most significant factor to predict the likely use of contraception for spacing (Adjusted OR-2.8; 95%CI 1.6-5.1).

Conclusions Prenatal counselling detailing about the contraceptive methods and doing away with the myths and involving husbands in these sessions would be important strategies to improve the effective use of spacing contraception among recently delivered women.