Trends in family planning practices of women in child bearing age: a community based survey in Northern peri-urban areas of Lahore

Background: Pakistan being the sixth most populous country in the world needs to control its population explosion as well as understand the importance of family planning practices and its inherent relationship with improved maternal health

Objectives: This study was conducted with the aim to assess the family planning practices in the Northern Peri-Urban areas of Lahore, Pakistan

Subjects and Methods: Community based survey was conducted on 852 households by interviewing married females aged 15 - 49 years with the help of a pretested structured questionnaire. Every third household was selected by employing systematic random sampling

Results: Mean age of the women was 19 +/- 3.54 years with mean number of pregnancies 4.05 +/- 2.50. Contraceptive prevalence rate was 36%. Most preferred method of contraception was tubal ligation 37% and condoms 29% vasectomy being the least preferred. Tubal ligation 10%, condoms 6.5% and intrauterine contraceptive device 2.6% was the choice for females aged 15 - 20 years. Women having four to six pregnancies were opting for tubal ligation 10.3% [p-value <0.0001]

Conclusion: In the Northern Peri-urban areas of Lahore, contraception is being practiced at the same rate as in the rest of the province. It is pertinent for improved maternal health to ensure maximum utilization of family planning services within this community

Health care facilities at school; perception of students

Schools should pertain to a comprehensive system to deal with day to day emergencies, as children spend more than six hours at school and are liable to suffer from injuries and illnesses

Objectives: this study was conducted with the objective of assessing the experiences of students regarding healthcare management especially first aid patterns at school

Study Design: cross sectional study

Setting: study was conducted on 50 students enrolled from ten identified public and private schools of Lahore

Period: six months

Methods: in depth interviews were conducted on students from classes 6-10 who had suffered from an injury or illness during school hours within the last six months

Results: in these 50 students the most common injury were fractures and dislocations [15], most common illness was fever [19]. Majority [41] were managed at schools with a first aid facility and provision of sick rooms [28]. Teachers were the main healthcare providers in private schools [17], as compared to public schools [9]. Lack of properly trained health professionals was observed; only 7 out of 50 schools had employed nurses. Health education regarding hand washing, personal hygiene, dengue prevention was being provided in [45] schools

Conclusion: this study highlights the importance of provision of first aid services at school and the need to train teachers regarding basic life support. Implementation of the existing school health program needs to be emphasized in all schools of Lahore