Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) Regarding Family Planning Services among Married Women of Quetta Pakistan

Abstract

Aims: This study was conducted to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) regarding family planning services among married women of Quetta Pakistan. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted in obstetrics & gynecology department from public sector hospitals of Quetta. Data was collected from February-September 2016 from 503 Females who were sexually active, willing to participate and able to understand Urdu and local languages. Knowledge, attitude and practices on family planning were assessed with the help of predesigned questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS version 20.Result showed that out of 503 women, less than fifty percent (41.2%) were uneducated, house wife (79.1%), Pashtun 40.6%, 89.7% were belongs to urban area and 43.7% were have married life span of 6-10 years. 500 (99.4%) had knowledge about family planning and their methods and it was mainly obtained from TV/Radio (28.8%) followed by health care personal (22.7%). For hundred and ninety two (98.8%) believed that use of family planning methods is beneficial, while (62.0%) health care providers encourage them on the use of family planning services. For hundred and thirty (85.5%) women were practicing family planning methods out of which they were using condom (39.4%) followed by Oral Contraceptive (20.3%). The relationship between Knowledge and Attitude was investigated using Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient. There was a small, positive correlation between Knowledge-Attitude [r=0.83, p=0.064], Knowledge-Practice [r=0.119, p=0.008] and Attitude-Practice [r=0.119, p=0.001] was observed. Study concluded that overall knowledge attitude and practice was good among women towards contraception. Husband being the dominant member plays the pivotal role in approving the family size and contraceptive practices. Contraceptive knowledge and practice was influenced by media exposure and partner opposition. Women education and counseling of couples can play an important role to adopt family planning methods. There is a need to improve the educational status of the females to improve their understanding and uptake of modern contraceptives.