Intentions On Contraceptives Use And Method Of Choice Among The Postpartum Women Attending A Tertiary Care Hospital In Jharkhand

ABSTRACT

Background: Postpartum family planning (PPFP) information and services can prevent maternal and child morbidity and mortality in low–resource countries, like India, where high unmet need for PPFP remains despite opportunities offered by routine postnatal care visits. There is a high unmet need for limiting and spacing child births during the postpartum period. Our objective was to establish the intentions on contraceptive uptake among postpartum women in a referral hospital in Jharkhand. Methods: We conducted a cross–sectional study using a convenience sample of 100 Postpartum women before their discharge following delivery at a tertiary care hospital from January 2018 to March 2018 in MGM Medical college Jamshedpur. Participants were interviewed using structured questionnaires, data was collected and information was obtained from mothers regarding their perceptions on family planning methods, use, availability, and acceptability. Result: 100 women participated in the study. 86% women intend to use a method of postpartum contraception. The most preferred intended postpartum contraceptive was IUDs (25.5%) followed by injectables (20.9%) and condom (11.6%). The most commonly cited reason for the intended choice of contraceptive method was convenience . Reasons for non–use of postpartum contraception include spouse refusal, religious beliefs, effect on fertility, desire for further child beå. Conclusion: Although most women intended to use contraceptive, they did not receive adequate prenatal counseling on postpartum contraception. Counselling on postpartum contraception during the antenatal and postnatal period can help women to make informed choices among the wide range of available contraception.