Fertility Preferences , Contraceptive Use and Knowledge among married women of reproductive age group of Belhara V.D.C, Dhankuta.

Rayamajhi R.B , Ghimire A, Niraula S.R, Budhathoki S.S, Pokharel P.K.School of Public Health and Community Medicine.

B.P.Koirala Institute of Health Sciences.

INTRODUCTION: WHO defines FAMILY PLANNING as :

“a way of thinking and living that is adopted voluntarily upon the basis of knowledge, attitude and responsible decisions by the individuals and couples in order to promote health and welfare to the family group and thus contribute effectively to the social development of the country.”

Contraceptive prevalence rate of Nepal in 2008/9 is 40.53%, out of which male involvement is only 10.2%.

As per the report published by the District Development Committee of the Dhankuta-2066, only 31.08% (i.e. 9,081 of 29,222) of the couples have adopted the means of the FP measures.

It needs to be recognized that women, particularly in developing nations, are often economically and emotionally dependent on their male partners .

Objectives:

To assess the level of awareness and attitude regarding family planning among the married reproductive aged women.

To study the different family planning adopted for family planning.

To assess the reason behind not practicing or discontinuing the use of family planning measures.

Material and Methodology::

Descriptive study was carried out in Belhara VDC, Dhankuta on 15th – 27th May, 2011 as a part of Epidemiological Skills for Health Management Posting.

Convenience sampling was carried among the MRW residing in that VDC with a sample size of 291.

Semi structured questionnaire were used to collect the data by face to face interview after a verbal consent.

Frequency expressed in terms of percentage Pie-chart, Bar-diagram used to represent data .

FIG.1: DISTRIBUTION OF AGE AMONG RESPONDENTS. (N=291)

AGE DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDENTS:

15-25 YEARS 16-35 YEARS 36-49 YEARS0.00%5.00%

10.00%15.00%20.00%25.00%30.00%35.00%40.00%45.00%50.00%

38.76%

46.04%

17.18%

FIG.2: DIVERSITY OF ETHNICITY AMONG MARRIED REPRODUCTIVE AGED WOMEN (N=291)

ETHNICITY DISTRIBUTION:

23%

23%

22%

15%

6%

11%

BHRAMINCHETTRIRAITAMANGLIMBUOTHERS

FIG.3: EDUCATIONAL STATUS AMONG MARRIED REPRODUCTIVE AGED WOMEN (N=291)

EDUCATIONAL STATUS OF RESPONDENTS :

38.40%

4.80%

36.80%

20.00%

ILLITERATEINFORMAL<SLC>SLC

OCCUPATIONAL STATUS OF RESPONDENTS:

HOUSEWIFE DAILY WAGE WORKER

FOREIGN WORKER

OFFICE WORKER0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

67.82%

22.15%

9.40%

0.63%

FIG 4: OCUPATIONAL STATUS AMONG MRW. (N=291)

KNOWLEDGE ABOUT FP METHODS AMONG RESPONDENTS:

yes no0.00%

10.00%20.00%30.00%40.00%50.00%60.00%70.00%80.00%90.00%

100.00% 91.70%

8.30%

FIG.5: KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ANY OF THE FP METHODS AMONG MRW. (N=291)

KNOWLEDGE REGARDING PLACES WHERE FP METHODS ARE AVAILABLE:

PRIVATE HOSPITAL

PHARMACY

OUTREACH CLINIC

HEALTH POST

SUBHEALT

H POST

GOVT. HOSP

ITALPHC

OTHERS0

50

100

150

200

250

198179 172

156128

76 69

12

FIG .6: PLACES WHERE FAMILY PLANNING METHODS ARE AVAILABLE. (MULTIPLE ANSWERS).

DECISION REGARDING USE OF FP METHODS:

HUSBAND BOTH HERSELF IN-LAWS PEERS OTHERS0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

30.00%

35.00%

40.00%

34.60%31.63%

21.82%

6.00%4.00%

1.95%

FIG.7: DECISION REGARDING USE OF FP MEASURES. (N=291)

KNOWLEDGE REGARDING FREE AVAILABILITY OF CONTRACEPTIONS:

79.03%

20.96%

YESNO

FIG.8: KNOWLEDGE AMONG MRW REGARDING FREE AVAILABILITY OF CONTRACEPTIONS. (N=291)

CONSULTATION WITH HUSBAND ABOUT FP METHODS :

58.26%

41.74%YESNO

72.87%

27.13%

YESNO

FIG.9: CONSULTATION WITH HUSBAND BY MRW REGARDING USE OF FP METHODS. (N=291). FIG.10 CONSULTATION WITH HEALTHCVARE PROFESSIONALS ABOUT FP METHODS. (N=291)

CONSULTATION WITH HEALTHVCARE PROFESSIONALS ABOUT FP METHODS:

CURRENT USE OF ANY FP METHODS:

60.14%

39.86%

YESNO

FIG.11: CURRENT USE OF FP METHODS AMONG MRW. (N=291)

INTEREST TO KNOW MORE ABOUT FP METHODS:

81.20%

18.20%

YESNO

FIG.12: INTEREST AMONG FP NONUSERS MRW ABOUT FP METHODS.(N=116)

PREFERRED FP METHOD AMONG MRW:

DEPOPILL

S

FEM

ALE ST

ERILIZA

TION

NORPLANT

MALE

STERILI

ZATIO

NIU

D

CONDOM

OTHERS0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%51.50%

23.50%

13.50%6.00% 4.00% 1.50% 0.00% 0.00%

FIG.13: FP PREFERRED AMONG MRW. (N=291)

REASONS FOR NOT USING FP METHODS:

SIDE EFF

ECTS

HUSBAND'S

DISAPPROVAL

LACK O

F KNOW

LEDGE

PERSONAL H

EALTH IS

SUES

OTHERS

RELIGIO

US ISS

UES0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30% 28%26%

23%

12%10%

1%

FIG. 14: REASONS FOR NOT USING FP MEASURES AMONG NONUSERS MRW.

SEX PREFERENCES AMONG RESPONDENTS:

77%

13%

BOYGIRL

FIG. 15: SEX PREFERENCES AMONG RESPONDENTS. (N=291)

Conclusion:

91.7% of the MRW has knowledge regarding FP methods even then only 60.14% are using FP methods.

39.86% of the respondents aren’t using FP methods even then 81.2% showed interest to know more about it.

Depo was the most popular FP method among MRW.

Majority of the MRW don’t consult with the healthcare professionals regarding the use of FP methods so good rapport build up and proper counseling to the consumers should be promoted. Despite then, it’s good to see that they do consult with their husband.

My sincere acknowledgement to Prof. Dr. Paras Kumar Pokharel, Chief (SPH and CM ), Associate Prof. Dr. Anup Ghimire, Associate Prof. Dr. Surya Raj Niraula, Dr. Shyam Sundar Budhathoki and all the students involved in this study.