Abstract

Background: Control of population is a major concern for the health administrators today. Despite significant advances in contraception, contraceptive use is low. It is essential to know the factors contributing to utilization of contraception. This contraceptive survey aimed at providing the feedback necessary to improve contraceptive use. Objectives: (1) To determine the risk of pregnancy among married women of reproductive age (MWRA), (2) to reveal the extent of contraceptive use, and (3) to compare the use of contraceptive methods among women of different age group, educational, and occupational status.
Materials and Methods: A total of 400 MWRA living in rural area of Sangli district of Maharashtra state interviewed. Information regarding reproductive family history sought. Furthermore, factors related to use of contraceptives were studied. Descriptive analysis of data performed using tests of significance.
Results: About 276 (69.0% of total MWRA) women are practically at risk of pregnancy referred to as “exposed women.” Contraceptive use rate was 43.25%. Most widely used methods were intra-uterine device and female sterilization. Conclusion: The method of contraceptive was associated with the different level of education. Influence of working status was not significant in use and non-use of contraceptives. Use of spacing method was more in employed group. Terminal methods preferred more by women having a lower education while spacing method more preferred in better-educated women. Women after age 30 years are more likely to use sterilization while younger women are more likely to use spacing methods.