Impact of literacy on contraceptive practice in Indian perimenopausal women

Objectives

To study the contraceptive practices in perimenopausal women and to compare them between general population and staff nurses.

Methods

A questionnaire based study was done on 250 perimenopausal women (100 staff nurses and 150 women from general population) to evaluate the impact of literacy on the contraceptive choices among these women.

Results

Mean parity of the general population was more (3.2) as compared to the staff nurses (2.12) and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). Effect of literacy on reducing the parity was statistically significant (p=0.001) and was inversely related to it. Use of barrier method was more common in staff nurses as compared to general population (p<0.001). None of the women in either group were using oral contraceptive pills. Awareness about emergency contraception was more in staff nurses as compared to general population (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Intellectual status and literacy level has a definite role in using temporary methods of contraception more effectively. There is a need for creating awareness about emergency contraception among women more so amongst the general population