KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES ON CONTRACEPTION AMONG POSTPARTUM MOTHERS ATTENDING THE IMMUNIZATION OPD: A HOSPITAL BASED CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Introduction: The World Health Organization recommends that women must delay conception for at least two years after they give birth. Delaying a second pregnancy has important health benefits, both for pregnant women as well as also for the babies they bear. Contraception is the deliberate use of artificial methods or other techniques to prevent pregnancy as a consequence of sexual intercourse.  

Objective: To assess the knowledge ,attitude and practices about contraception in the post-partum women ( within 45 days of delivery) attending the immunization OPD for the birth and six weeks of vaccination schedule of an infant in a  tertiary care medical college and hospital , Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) of Patna District, Bihar.

Material and Method: A Hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted in the immunization OPD under department of community medicine from January 2017 to April 2017. A total of 400 post-partum women who were attending the immunization OPD for birth and six week of vaccination of their infant were selected randomly. The post partum women were given a pre-tested, pre-structured questionnaire and their answers were noted and analyzed. 

Result: Among the 400 women, 300 women were aware about contraception. About 35% of the women who attended the immunization OPD at six week of vaccination were high school educated. Among the different methods of contraception, the highest knowledge (43.3%) was seen for barrier method of contraception.

Conclusion: The contraceptive awareness and knowledge among the postpartum women was high but their usage was low.

Keywords: Contraception, Postpartum women, World Health organization, National Family Health Survey, Family Planning.