Knowledge, attitude and acceptability for long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods among women attending contraception counselling sessions: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Aims: To study the knowledge, attitude, and acceptability of Long-acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARC) methods among women attending contraception counselling sessions.

Settings and design: A cross-sectional study conducted in the family planning clinic of a tertiary care hospital.

Methods and material: Women aged 18-45 years attending contraception counselling sessions were included. Baseline knowledge about LARC methods was assessed. They were given information about LARC methods. Acceptability was assessed on a scale of 0-10.

Results: Among four LARC methods, awareness about copper intrauterine devices (CuIUD), DMPA injection, subdermal implant and Mirena was 95%, 55.50%, 27% and 3%, respectively. Around 4% were unaware of the LARC method. Of total, 76.50% women procured the LARC methods information from health care workers, whereas 40% attained from friends, family members, neighbors, or colleagues. After counseling, the majority (58%) were willing for subdermal implant. About 27.50% and 13.50% were willing for copper IUD insertion and injection DMPA, respectively. None was willing for Mirena. Acceptability of various LARC methods was scaled on an acceptability score from 0 to 10. For Cu IUD, implanon and DMPA, the acceptability score was 10 in 50%, 40.17% and 25%, respectively.

Conclusions: There are still gaps of knowledge about benefits and safety of available LARC methods. To improve wide coverage and more acceptability of LARC methods, involvement of health care workers and addition of subdermal implants to contraceptive counseling should be considered.