Publication:

Knowledge attitude and practice of contraceptives among married women of reproductive age group

Background This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of contraceptives among married women of reproductive age group.

Methods It was a cross sectional study which was carried at outpatient department (OPD) of obstetrics and gynaecology, Government medical college Srinagar over a period of 3 months. A total of 210 married women in the age group 15-49 years were included in the study. Along with the demographic profile, their knowledge, attitude and practices on contraception were evaluated with the help of self-structured questionnaire.

Results The mean age of the study population was 32.5±6.8 years. Majority of the women were in the age group of 26-35 years (56.2%), literate with formal education above 10th class (42.4%), house-makers (46.2%) and from rural background (65.2%). 82.9% of women had awareness regarding any method of contraception. Knowledge about emergency contraceptive was quiet low (11.0%). The most common source of information on contraception was friends and relatives (64.8%). 41% of women had a negative attitude towards contraception. The most common method of contraceptive used was barriers (21.9%). 43.8% of women had never used any contraceptive.

Conclusions Despite having good knowledge about contraception, utilization of contraceptives were less.