Knowledge, Attitude and Utilization of Family Planning Methods among Postpartum Women in A Selected Tertiary Care Facility in India

Utilization of family planning services among married women in India, especially postpartum family planning, is poor, with only around one fifth of currently married women using a spacing method. Women’s awareness about PPFP methods in India is also limited. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and utilization of family planning methods among postpartum women in India.

A cross-sectional survey of 284 postpartum mothers was conducted in a well-baby clinic of a tertiary care facility using convenience sampling. Respondents were interviewed using self-developed, pretested and validated tools. Data was analyzed with STATA software version 31.1 using descriptive statistical methods.

Almost two third of the mothers did not receive family planning counseling in the antenatal period (66.1%) and over half did not receive it in the immediate postpartum period (53.5%). The majority (66.6%) did not use any contraceptive method. The mean knowledge score was 7.823.90 out of a total score of 16 points, and the mean attitude score was 33.533.90 out of a total score of 50 points. Knowledge of postpartum mothers related to the family planning methods was significantly associated with their educational status, number of antenatal visits, and use of contraceptives, while the use of contraceptive methods was significantly associated with resumed sexual activity.  

Lower scores on knowledge about PPFP compared to attitudes to PPFP emphasize the need for innovative approaches to make postpartum women aware about healthy reproductive practices including adoption of FP methods of their choice.