Attitude to family planning in an Aurangabad slum
Sathe, P.V.; Muzumdar, R.D.
Social Welfare 21(9): 9-10
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0037-8038 PMID: 12333599 Document Number: 501850
The impact of efforts by the Medical College Hospital and the Regional Family Planning Training Centre in Aurangabad, India, to popularize family planning in the city's slum areas was assessed through a KAP survey conducted by medical interns, social workers, and other hospital staff. In all, 237 couples were surveyed. Of these, 156 were Nav Buddhas, 53 were Hindus, 17 were Christians and 11 were Muslims. When asked if they were aware of birth control, 108 replied in the affirmative (the "Aware" group) and 129 were ignorant (the "Unaware" group). Only 21 from the "Aware" group were practicing a family planning method. Of the 21 acceptors, there were 15 vasectomies, 3 tubectomies, and in 3 cases, use of the condom by the husband. The most common reason for failure to practice contraception was the desire for more children, although many felt that contraception was unnecessary or they had neglected to think about family limitation. It is important that only 33 out of 237 (14%) recognized the widely publicized symbol for family planning (inverted red triangle); and the proportion of contraception acceptors in this group was significantly more than among those who failed to recognize the symbol. Survey findings indicated that efforts to reach the population in the ever-increasing slums in urban areas must be intensified.