Publication:

Socio-demographic profile of copper-T beneficiaries in the family planning out-patient department of a teaching hospital: a record-based descriptive study

Background Intra uterine contraceptive devices (IUCD) used as a spacing method is one of the main strategies of the family welfare programme, as they are among the safest and most effective, affordable and convenient reversible contraceptives available. The objectives of the study were to study the socio-demographic details of beneficiaries accepting Cu-T in the family planning OPD of the medical college, relation of IUCD insertion time with respect to menses or delivery and its outcome.

Methods After IEC approval, a descriptive, complete enumeration study of recorded data from IUD register from 2006 to 2015 (n=1141) was carried out from the IUCD registers of the family planning out-patient department (OPD) of a medical college.

Results Beneficiaries had a significantly lower literacy rate (p<0.05) and a lower employment rate (p<0.01) than their husbands. 447 (39.4%) women accepted IUCD before 1 year from their last delivery. In 20 women, IUCDs were expelled, while in 32 (2.8%), they were wasted. The difference between the couples having no male children and those having at least 1 male child opting for IUCD was statistically highly significant (p<0.01).

Conclusions Cu-T is being well utilised as a spacing method in the Family Welfare Component of the Reproductive and Child Health Programme. Evidence of Preference for a male child can be seen in this study.