Contraception knowledge and practices among women in Peshawar

Abstract

Background: Contraception is an integral component for addressing the population emergency faced by resource deprived third-world countries like Pakistan but studies in this regard are lacking. Aims and Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the knowledge and practice of contraception among women in Peshawar. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional prospective observational study was carried out from March 2020 to November 2021. All women of reproductive age were included in the study. Biodata, socio-economic status (SES), reproductive data, knowledge and practice of contraception were collected from a total of 1260 women during the study period. Results: One thousand two hundred and sixty females of reproductive age visiting the hospital were studied. Regarding reproductive health and contraception 431 (34.2%) had no knowledge and 415 (32.9%) had wrong information. Only 387 (30.7%) patients had correct information about fertility window, 447 (35.5%) had erroneous knowledge about it and 426 (33.8%) were completely uninformed about it. 609 (48.3%) patients were of low SES. 617 (49%) patients were motivated for contraception while 643 (51%) rejected it. 377 (29.9%) patients used no method for contraception, 398 (31.6%) used injectables while the remaining methods included; 225 (17.9%) implants, 68 (5.4%) natural withdrawal and 67 (5.3%) intrauterine contraceptive device. Conclusions: The study population lacked or had inadequate knowledge about reproductive health and contraception. Further, studies should be carried out for a wider understanding of the lack of contraceptive knowledge and practices to control the ballooning population growth and the lack of reproductive and contraceptive health services and practices.