Kerala
is one of the states where health indices are relatively better, current use of
contraception is high (64%) and unmet need is only 12% (national 16%). Still there
is a need for EC in Kerala. In most families, husbands are away or abroad and
need for long-term contraception is minimal. Availability of EC will help prevent
unplanned pregnancies and improve the reproductive health of the women. Eighty
women coming for MTP were surveyed about their contraceptive knowledge. This table
depicts their knowledge matrix.
Table : Contraceptive Knowledge Matrix
Method
IUD OCP Saheli Condom Tubectomy Vasectomy Others
Knowledge 96% 90% 15% 92% 99% 98% 9%
efficacy (100%) 30% 24% 4% 24% 28% 28% – Can
fail rarely 4% 2% 1% 2% 21% 21% – Can fail often
50% 55% 5% 44% 38% 38% – Correct usage 84% 63%
6% 93% 99% 98% – It reveals that almost 90%
women had knowledge about existing contraceptive methods available in NFWP. Above
90% of these clients had knowledge about condoms, tubectomy and vasectomy, 54%
were of the opinion that the advantage of condom is for delaying the first child,
while 66% said IUD and pills are used for spacing the second child and 97% opined
that tubectmy and vasectomy are for limiting their family size. Knowledge about
centchroman (Saheli) was poor (12/80) and only 5 knew how it is used.
Emergency Contraception
Out of these 80 clients, nobody had any knowledge
about the Emergency Contraception. Very few had heard about some pills that can
be used for abortion and some of them had tried some pills for abortion after
missing a period. They were not sure when these pills were used and from where
the pills had been obtained. After explaining what emergency contraception was,
majority of these clients had favourable attitude towards emergency contraception
and expressed the indication to opt for EC in future, in case they needed, so
that MTP/abortion could be avoided. Whether EC is safe or effective was not known
to many. majority had doubts about the efficacy of various contraceptive methods.
Opinion was that each couple should know about EC, its methods and dosage, as
easy accessibility and availability of EC will attract couples for its use. Majority
said that contraception should be made available only to married couples.
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