A Descriptive Study to assess the Knowledge regarding Family Planning Methods among Eligible Couples in selected Villages of Mehsana District

 

Kaushal Patidar

Asst. Professor, Joitiba College of Nursing, Bhandu, Tal-Visnagar, Dist-Mehsana (Gujarat)

 

ABSTRACT:

Background - The nationwide family planning program was started in India in 1952 making it the first country in the world to do so. In spite of these about 50% eligible couples in India are still unprotected against conception.¹ Aims and Objective- To assess the knowledge regarding family planning among the eligible couple. To find out association between pre test knowledge score and selected demographic variables. Material and Methods- The data were collected from 60 eligible couple. By purposive sampling techniques and descriptive design was used. Non-experimental survey approach will be used for this study. Result- The mean knowledge score of eligible couple is 17.03%. The highest 56.67% percentage of eligible couple had moderate adequate knowledge regarding method of family planning 31.66 % had adequate knowledge and 11.66% had inadequate knowledge regarding method of family planning. There was significant association found between knowledge scores with demographic variables like marital life, educational status, occupation and type of family of eligible couple and other no association was found with other variables. It was assessed at 0.05% level of significance. Conclusion -The major conclusion drawn from this study was that eligible couple had less knowledge regarding method of family planning.

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

The nationwide family planning program was started in India in 1952 making it the first country in the world to do so. In spite of these about 50% eligible couples in India are still unprotected against conception.¹  A little over a billion people (1,065,070,607 July 2004 est.) reside in 29 states and 6 union territories of India. If the population grows in this rate India will become the most populous country in another few years. Population explosion has been India’s major problem since Independence. It is a major obstacle to the overall progress of the nation. Adoption of family planning method is one of the best solutions to tackle this problem.²   

 

Currently India’s annual population growth rate is 1.74%. India is the second most populous country in the world, contributing about 20% of births worldwide. Among the population one- third are under 15 years and 50% are of reproductive age.³

 

The current realization that socio-economic development and well being of a society can be affected by astronomical increase in population has led to the establishment of family planning programmes. Family planning is a way of thinking and living that is adopted voluntarily, upon the basis of knowledge, attitude and responsible decision by individuals and couples in order to promote the health and welfare of the family group and thus contribute effectively to the social development of a country^.4  Recent scientific findings and new understanding about long-acting and permanent methods of contraception underscore their safety and effectiveness. This has led to new guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as continuing strong support by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for family planning in general and for long-acting and permanent methods of contraception in particular. The methods considered "long-acting" in this context are intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants; vasectomy and female sterilization are considered "permanent."⁵

 

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

The data were collected from 60 eligible couple. by purposive sampling techniques and descriptive design was used. Non-experimental survey approach will be used for this study. A structured questionnaire (closed ended) was selected to assess the knowledge regarding method of family planning.

 

RESULT:

Highest percentages (35.07%) were in the age group of 25-33 years. Majority (33.33%) of sample were less than 5 year of marital life. Majority (96.66 %) of sample were Hindu. Majority (48.34%) sample belong to primary education. Highest percentage of (33.33 %) sample was farmer. And majority (80.00%) of sample belongs to join family.

 

Findings revealed that the mean knowledge score of eligible couple is 17.03% with SD 5.88. The highest 56.67% percentage of eligible couple had moderate adequate knowledge regarding method of family planning 31.66 % had adequate knowledge and 11.66 had inadequate knowledge regarding method of family planning. There was significant association found between knowledge scores with demographic variables like marital life, educational status, occupation and type of family of eligible couple and other no association was found with other variables. It was assessed at 0.05% level of significance.

 

DISCUSSION:

The current study ravels highest percentage 56.67% hade moderate adequate knowledge, 11.66% eligible couple had inadequate knowledge, knowledge and 31.66 had adequate knowledge regarding method of family planning. The mean knowledge score of eligible couple is 17.03% with SD 5.88.

 

CONCLUSION:

The major conclusion drawn from this study was that highest percentage 56.67% eligible couple had moderate adequate knowledge regarding method of family planning.

 

REFRENCE:

1.        Govt. of India, Ministry of health and family welfare, New Delhi, annual report, 1999-2000.

2.        Rajesh Reddy, K.C. Premrajan, K.D Narayan and Akshaya Kumar Mishra, 2005, Rapid appraisal of knowledge, attitude, and practice related to family planning  among men Within 5 years of married life, Indian Journal of Preventive Social  Medicine, 34(1&2).

3.        India country health profile, WHO/SERO, 2003, http:/internet/entry health/india/index.htm

4.        K. Park, 2007, Text book of Preventive and social Medicine, 19^th edition, Jaypee Brothers.

5.        S Kamalam. Essentials in Community nursing practice.1^st edition. New Delhi: Jaypee; 2005. 319-322.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Received on 15.03.2017          Modified on 24.03.2017

Accepted on 28.03.2017          © A&V Publications all right reserved