Awareness and Practice of Family Planning Method by Using Oral Contraceptives

Abstract

Contraception prevents unwanted pregnancy by interfering with the normal process of ovulation, fertilization, and implantation. Different types of methods are available to prevent pregnancy. Among them oral contraceptives are very effective method of birth control. The major forms of methods are: barrier methods, contraceptive pill, intrauterine method and male or female sterilization. Contraceptive pills contain sex hormones which prevent ovulation in the female. Maternal mortality is high in developing countries with 440 deaths per 100,000 live births. Before the age of 20, one in three women give birth which leads to high pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality rates. There are unsafe abortions and abortion related deaths each year that occur among women aged 15–19 years. Effective contraception can prevent the unsafe abortion, abortion related deaths and thereby reduce maternal and child mortality. Knowledge, attitude and practice of contraceptive methods is critical for a developing country like Bangladesh to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Thus the objective of the study are to identify the current usage, attitude and practice with regard to OCP in Dhaka and other districts. This study also aimed to identify the awareness of the family planning methods. Face-to-Face interview with semi-structured questionnaire was used to conduct this study. Only urban areas were covered (n=1300). Out of 1300 participants 600 (46%) were the user of OCP. Among them 47% participants were the new user and 53% were the old user. OCP was popular in 267 women for various reasons. Thirty percent felt that spouse does not feel satisfaction if they use condom and 20% women are suited by OCP. About 20% women interchangeably used two methods and 18% used OCP to prevent menstruation problems. About 11% used OCP because it is easy to use. There were several reasons for not using OCP among non-users. The reasons behind not using OCP were the spouse uses condoms, women wants to conceive, or OCP creates some side effects like dizziness etc. Almost all respondents were aware of OCP, condom and injection as family planning methods. Awareness of permanent methods was relatively low. Oral contraceptive pills are still a popular and well accepted method for family planning.