The study of knowledge, attitudes and practices of husbands accompanying patients at obstetrics clinics of a tertiary care center about contraception
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20193021Keywords:
Attitude, Contraception, Knowledge, Male, PracticeAbstract
Background: Contraceptive practices are the main tool we have in controlling the ever increasing population. It also has a huge role in preventing sexually transmitted infections. The present study was undertaken to find the knowledge, attitudes and practices of husbands accompanying patient at obstetrics clinics of a tertiary care center about contraception.
Methods: The study population was 100 husbands accompanying patients at obstetrics clinics of a tertiary care center. A simple questionnaire of 26 questions regarding knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding contraception was provided to the consenting husbands. The results were then analyzed.
Results: Vast majority have adequate knowledge about male contraception (93%), vasectomy (85%) and sexually transmitted diseases (72%). Most of the husbands do not have adequate knowledge about female contraception (only 59%) and emergency contraception (only 27%). 70% of the husbands do not know about the free contraceptives provided by the Government of India. A staggering 74% do not participate in effective contraception. Also, 77% agreed that they would remain contended with a single child.
Conclusions: This cross-sectional study clearly shows that husbands accompanying patients at obstetrics clinic of a tertiary care center have adequate knowledge about male contraception, vasectomy and sexually transmitted diseases. It is worth noting that most of the husbands do not have adequate knowledge about female contraception, emergency contraception and free contraceptives provided by the Government of India. Very few couples participate in effective contraception despite wanting to adopt a small family norm. This is a pointer towards the ineffectiveness of the family planning program of our country.
References
Park K. Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 24th edition; 1997:311-341.
International Institute for Population Sciences (2015-16). National Family Health Survey, India. Mumbai: International Institute for Population Sciences: 1-5.
Taklikar CS, More S, Kshirsagar V, Gode V. Prevalence of contraceptive practices in an urban slum of Pune city, India. Int J Med Sci Pub Health. 2015;4:1772-6.
Ingle GK, Kumar A, Singh S, Gulati N. Reason for non-acceptance of contraceptive methods among Jhuggi-Jhompri dwellers of Delhi. Indian J Prev Soc Med. 1999;30(1):32-7.
Singh P, Kumar P, Goel U, Yadav RJ, Agrawal A. Adoption of family planning practices and associated factors in Paharganj area of Delhi. J Fam Welfare. 1990;36(2):36-42.
Prakash A, Nigam A, Maheshwari N. Knowledge of emergency contraception and contraceptive practices: Representative study from rural Uttar Pradesh. Indian J Comm Med. 2010;35(3):449.
Gerbase AC, Rowley JT, Mertens TE. Global epidemiology of sexually transmitted diseases. The Lancet. 1998;351:S2-S4.
Hawkes S, Santhya K. Diverse realities: sexually transmitted infections and HIV in India. Sexually Trans Infect. 2002;78(Supplement 1):i31-i39.
Sharma D, Goel N, Thakare M. Prevalence of reproductive tract infection symptoms and treatment-seeking behavior among women: A community-based study. Indian J Sexually Trans Dis AIDS. 2017;39(2):79.
Ezeanolue E, Iwelunmor J, Asaolu I, Obiefune M, Ezeanolue C, Osuji A, et al. Impact of male partner’s awareness and support for contraceptives on female intent to use contraceptives in southeast Nigeria. BMC Public Health. 2015;15(1):879.
Thummalachetty N, Mathur S, Mullinax M, DeCosta K, Nakyanjo N, Lutalo T, et al. Contraceptive knowledge, perceptions, and concerns among men in Uganda. BMC Public Health. 2017;17(1):792.
Agrawal S. The sociocultural context of family size preference, ideal sex composition, and induced abortion in India: Findings From India's National Family Health Surveys. Health Care for Women International. 2012;33(11):986-1019.
