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ISSN 2063-5346
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Assessment of the awareness of contraception: a longitudinal study

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DR.SUPRIYA PATIL, DR.VAISHALI VHAVAL, DR.SHALAKA DESHMUKH
» doi: 10.31838/ecb/2023.12.si4.270

Abstract

Access to contraception is essential for family planning and reproductive health. In India, however, there are differences in the use of contraceptives among various demographic groups. In this study, a sample of Indian women were evaluated for their knowledge about and usage of contraception. Methods: 543 participants were selected from clinics in India's urban and rural areas for a longitudinal research. Demographic information, knowledge of contraception, and current use of cutting-edge contraceptive methods were obtained as baseline data. In order to measure changes in awareness and use, follow-up surveys were carried out six and twelve months after the baseline. Results: At the outset, 75% of participants said they were aware of at least one form of birth control, with condoms being the method that was most well known (68%). With 85% of participants reporting awareness at the 6-month follow-up and 90% at the 12-month follow-up, there was a statistically significant rise in general awareness of contraception over time (p 0.001). Additionally, there was a notable rise in knowledge about particular forms of contraception, such as intrauterine devices and oral contraceptive tablets (p<0.001). Over the duration of the study, there was a considerable decline in the usage of contemporary contraceptive techniques (p<0.001). At the time of the baseline survey, oral contraceptive pills (33%) were the most frequently used method of contraception, followed by condoms (25%) and intrauterine devices (18%). Muslim participants, those with lower levels of education and wealth, and those who used modern contraceptive methods less frequently. Conclusion: This study discovered a general rise in contraceptive knowledge throughout time, but a decline in the use of contemporary contraceptive methods. The need for targeted interventions to enhance access to and use of contemporary contraceptive technologies among marginalised people in India is highlighted by demographic discrepancies in contraceptive knowledge and use.

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