Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Contraceptive Methods Among Reproductive-Age Women: A Cross-Sectional...

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Public Health
• Family Planning

Background:

• Global population growth necessitates effective family planning strategies.
• Misconceptions about contraception persist despite public health initiatives.
• Understanding contraceptive awareness is crucial for reproductive health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward contraceptive methods among reproductive-age women in North India.
• To evaluate social factors influencing contraceptive use and reasons for non-utilization.
• To identify primary sources of contraceptive information.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey of 400 women aged 17-49 years was conducted at a tertiary care hospital.
• Data were collected using a validated 30-item questionnaire.
• Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression.

Main Results:

• Mean knowledge score was 2.80 (SD=1.59), indicating moderate awareness; condoms and oral contraceptive pills were most recognized.
• Television and friends/relatives were primary information sources; common misconceptions included fears of infertility and reduced sexual pleasure.
• Lack of information and fear of side effects were main barriers to contraceptive use; women with two children showed lower knowledge adequacy.

Conclusions:

• Moderate contraceptive awareness exists, but misconceptions and fears hinder effective family planning.
• Targeted educational interventions and partner-inclusive counseling are needed, especially for women with fewer children.
• Findings highlight gaps in accurate contraceptive knowledge, informing context-specific awareness programs for informed reproductive choices.