Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice of Contraceptive Methods (ACase Study of Dalit Married Women of Reproductive Age Group, Laxmipur VDC,Ward No. 6, 7, 8 and 9 of Dang District)

Abstract

This study aims to examine knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of contraceptive methods among married women aged 15-49 years in Dalit community. This study has been carried out using primary data obtained from field survey, 2007. The main objectives of this study are to identify knowledge, Attitude and Practice of contraceptive, to examine socio-economic characteristics of the study population and to identify the reason for non-use of contraceptive methods. The total population of selected 101 households of Laxmipur VDC,ward no.6, 7, 8 and 9 is 694. Out of them, 359 are males and 337 are females. The average size of household is 6.9 persons per household. The sex ratio is 106.5 per hundred females. This study covers the 111 Dalit married women of reproductive age i.e. 15-49 years which has been selected purposively. The result indicates that 59.5 percent people are literate. The main occupation of Dalit community is agriculture. The knowledge of contraceptive methods is almost universal in the study area. In study area 99.1 percent women are familiar with at least one modern contraceptive method and 62.2 percent women are familiar with traditional methods. The main sources of family planning information of Dalit community areradio, (92percent), friends(65percent), health workers(32percent) and neighbors(18.9percent). Out of 111 respondents, 55.1percentwomen are currently using anymodern method and only 2.7percentare currently using traditional method. Overall contraceptive non users are 32.4 percent and currently non users contraceptives are 42.3percent. It is found that 33.3percentof the respondents have stated that the reason for not using is desire for son. Similarly, 16.7percentof there spondents stated for non use of contraception is husband and 14percentstatedfear of side effect. Permanent method of contraception is less likely than temporary method.