KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES ABOUT EFFECTIVE CONTRACEPTIVE METHOD AMONG MARRIED WOMEN IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITALS OF PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: Poor knowledge about effective contraception method has been documented in a variety of settings across the world. The lack of knowledge has been identified as a possible factor of failure to regularly and correctly use of effective contraception method. Insufficient knowledge about effective contraceptive methods, is the main cause of unintended pregnancy. Understanding of knowledge about effective methods of contraceptive is necessary to prevent unwanted pregnancy and control population.

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the knowledge and practice about the effective methods of contraceptive among married women.

Method: This quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on marries women in three tertiary care hospitals. The convenient sampling technique was adopted with a margin error of 5% and a confidence interval of 95%. The study purpose was explained to the eligible married women. Patient who had language barriers, the questions were explained to them verbally in their local language. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.

Results: The result shows that that 58% of them were using contraceptive, around 95.3% of the participants believed that knowledge is necessary. Overall knowledge had categorized into 3 categories also, n=98 (66%) had good knowledge, n=49 (33%) had average knowledge, and n=1 (7%) had poor knowledge. The majority of the knowledge source of 73% of participants is from family and friends, and the least 2.7 % from books. The most effective methods of contraceptive shared by 39.2 % participants was natural method, followed by 28.4% oral contraceptive pills, however 17.8% of the respondents’ thought condom is effective. the study also revealed that respondents thought that factors regarding selecting contraceptive methods is 45.9% safety. 41.9% of the participants preferred using natural method, similarly, condom is used at the very least i.e. 6.8% in married women.

Conclusion: The study disclosed worthy knowledge regarding contraceptive methods and mostly women practice contraceptive methods. It was found that the natural methods are considered effective and preferred compared to all other methods. Furthermore, both wife and husband were responsible for using contraceptive methods.