Epidemiological Correlates of Contraceptive Prevalence in Rural Area of Haryana

Abstract

Objective: 1. To study the prevalence of contraceptive utilization with its socio-demographic variables in a rural area of Haryana. Study Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Agroha village Participants: 260 eligible couples Methodology: The minimum sample size to be covered was derived on the basis of current contraceptive prevalence rate of rural Haryana ie. 62% (as per National Family Health Survey III – 2005-06). For the purpose of the study, 260 eligible couples were selected by simple random sampling. Complete data was collected in a pre-designed, pre-tested quesionnaire. Statistical Analysis: The data collected were analyzed by using percentages and chi-square test. Result: Out of 260 couples selected for the study, 10 couples were non willing. Out of 250 eligible couples, 59.2% were current users of contraception (terminal methods users 46% & spacing method users 13.2%). Contraceptive prevalence increased significantly (p <0.001) with increasing age and also with the literacy status of the women ( 38.5% in illiterate women to 65.0% in women educated to high school & above). Caste-wise, the highest current contraceptive prevalence was found among the Other castes (74.6%) followed by OBCs (46.5%) and SCs (46.0%)(p < 0.001). Current contraceptive prevalence among women of nuclear families was higher (87.0%) than women in joint families (40.7%) & the difference was statistically significant (p <0.001). Current contraceptive prevalence was found to decrease with the increase of socio-economic status as the prevalence was 72.6% in class V (Lower Class) and progressively declined to 47.6% in the class I (Upper Class) (p <0.05). Conclusion: Preference of terminal sterilization methods over spacing methods observed in the present study as a family planning approach needs special attention and there is a need to shift women centric approach to couple centric approach for family planning. Extensive mass awareness campaign at regional level about types, advantages, availability and use of spacing methods is required and locally field workers need to apply Behavior Change Communication (BCC) methods to motivate the couples to accept the spacing methods for better maternal and child health.