Awareness and misconceptions about contraception in post-partum period in a tertiary care centre in North India: a cross-section study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20261772Keywords:
Awareness, Contraception, Misconception, Post partum period, Unwanted pregnancyAbstract
Background: Most common reason of unintended pregnancy is non-use of contraception and contraception failure. To get rid of unintended pregnancy, abortion is most common procedure done which can lead to increased maternal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to explore the sociodemographic variables of reproductive women with awareness about contraception, outlook for contraception use and reason for not using contraception in all reproductive women.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted including 825 postnatal women during March 2025 to August 2025 in department of obstetrics and gynaecology at AIIMS Jodhpur. The data was analysed using SPSS version 26.
Results: A total of 825 postpartum women were included, predominantly aged 25-30 years (46.7%), Hindu (84.1%), and from middle socioeconomic status (75.8%). Awareness of contraception was high (93.5%), with condoms being the most commonly known method (82.6%). However, only 68.2% had ever used contraception. Condoms (32%) and oral contraceptive pills (14.4%) were the most commonly used methods, while 31.1% used none. Fear of side effects (37%), partner/family opposition, and misconceptions regarding fertility and IUCD safety were major barriers. Contraceptive use was significantly associated with age, education, socioeconomic status, planned pregnancy, and prior LSCS.
Conclusions: Despite high awareness of contraception among postpartum women, actual use remains suboptimal due to misconceptions, fear of side effects, and partner or family opposition. Targeted, structured counselling integrated into antenatal and postnatal care is essential to bridge the knowledge–practice gap and improve postpartum contraceptive uptake.
References
Bhuyan K, Ali I, Barua SJ. Role of no scalpel vasectomy in male sterilization. Indian J Surg. 2012;74(4):284-7.
Oliveira ITD, Dias JG, Padmadas SS. Dominance of sterilization and alternative choices of contraception in India: an appraisal of the socioeconomic impact. PLoS One. 2014;9(1):e86654.
Shekhar C, Sahoo H, Das L. Usage of contraception among the married women in India, 2019-21: a cross-sectional study. Contracept Reprod Med. 2025;10(1):60.
Tilahun T, Coene G, Luchters S, Kassahun W, Leye E, Temmerman M, et al. Family planning knowledge, attitude and practice among married couples in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia. PLoS One. 2013;8(4):e61335.
Pal R, Maheshwari S, Kaka N, Patel N, Sethi Y. Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Postpartum Females Regarding the Acceptance of Immediate Postpartum Contraception: A Cross-Sectional Study from North India. Cureus. 2022;14(10):e29824.
Mekonnen BD, Gelagay AA, Lakew AM. Knowledge and Associated Factors of Postpartum Contraceptive Use Among Women in the Extended Postpartum Period in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia. Open Access J Contracept. 2021;12:7-15.
Murry L, Dabas S, Thuileiphy T, Kumari V, Gudiya G, Joshi P. Knowledge, Attitude and Utilization of Family Planning Methods among Postpartum Women in A Selected Tertiary Care Facility in India. J Midwifery Reproduct Health. 2021;9(1):2597-604.
Johns NE, Singh A, Ambast S, Bhan N, Hay K, Patwardhan V, et al. The state of postpartum contraceptive use in India: descriptive lessons from nationally representative survey data. Reprod Health. 2025;22(1):39.
Nandi M, Sharma PP, Haldar A. The Acceptance and Refusal of Postpartum Intrauterine Devices at a Tertiary Care Center in West Bengal: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2025;75(6):487-93.
Najan A, Dixit P, Somalwar S, Singh A, Thombare D, Dapkekar P. Acceptance of postpartum intrauterine contraceptive devices in women with focused family planning counselling in antenatal period as compared to routine counselling: A Scoping review. J Educ Health Promot. 2025;14:514.
Khurram J, Lal A, Rahim A, Tikmani SS. Prevalence of postpartum family planning uptake and its association with spousal discussion, joint decision-making and partner approval: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2025;15(9):e094628.
Chyut P, Mishra A, Montana L, Sengupta R, Calhoun LM, Nanda P. Integration of family planning with maternal health services: an opportunity to increase postpartum modern contraceptive use in urban Uttar Pradesh, India. J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care. 2016;42(2):107-15.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
