Contraceptive Knowledge and Use: A Survey of New Delhi Women

Suneeta Mittal (Professor)
P. N. Anandalakshmy (Additional Professor)
M. Lakhatia (Research Officer)

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology*, Department of Statistics and Demography**, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India.

Summary

• Two thousand women of reproductive age were interviewed regarding their contraceptive behaviour.
• Of the married women participating in the survey, very few used any form of contraception for the first 2 years of marriage, or immediately postpartum.
• However, the majority (99%) agreed that spacing of children was essential; 55% believed that the ideal time interval between children was 3-5 years.
• Only 6% of women taking part were aware of emergency contraception (EC).
• Patient education is the key to overcoming many of the hindrances to EC.

Editor's Comment

This medium-sized survey of contraceptive practices among mainly rural or semi-urban women in the North of India highlights a lack of awareness of EC and, consequently, the need to impart greater information on this subject. This being the case, the present opportunity is taken to discuss in more detail EC and its role.

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