Family planning: knowledge, attitude and practice among married couples in northern Pakistan

ABSTRACT

To assess knowledge, attitude and practice among married couples regarding contraceptive measures in Baltistan [Northern Areas of Pakistan]. Cross sectional study The study was carried out in Baltistan, which is a district in northern areas of Pakistan with headquarter at Skardu. Duration of study was from June 2002 to August 2003. A study was done on married couples with female partner of childbearing age. A study questionnaire was designed and response was obtained from 200 randomly selected married couples [females 152, males 48], which reported to health care facilities for some other minor ailment. Majority of the study participants [67%] were of the view that rapidly increasing population is a problem affecting socioeconomic development of the country. There is wide gap between knowledge and practice of family planning. The contraceptive prevalence rate of Baltistan is 8.5% much low from rest of the country, which is above 36%. Important reasons for not using contraceptive measures were that family planning was considered against religious, beside illiteracy, poverty and poor communication. Most of the respondents were in support of early marriage for girls. Efforts are required from family welfare programme, besides long-term measures such as enhancement of women literacy