Contraceptive use among low-income urban married women in India.

INTRODUCTION: The reports of a rise in contraceptive practices have not been matched by a similar decrease in population, so there is a need to look into the causes of this discrepancy.

AIM: To obtain information from low-income urban married women regarding their contraceptive knowledge, practices, and utilization of the services.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Percentage of low-income urban married women using contraception, different types of contraception used, influence of education on choice of contraception.

METHODS: All nonpregnant married women between the ages of 18 and 45 years, belonging to low-income groups were selected for study. Statistical analysis was done using EPI Info ver-5.0. Chi square test was used to test the significance of data.

RESULTS: Contraceptive use among these women was 52%; the most common method was tubal ligation. Educated women used spacing methods more often than uneducated women. Women had adequate awareness regarding type of contraceptives available but had no idea about the timing of starting contraception after delivery and about emergency contraception.

CONCLUSION: The low-income urban population is aware of the importance of limiting the family size and has family planning facilities yet has less contraceptive usage because of low level of education, increased rate of discontinuation, and lack of proper knowledge of the use of contraception.