This study assessed knowledge, current use and future intention to use family planning methods among women aged 15-45 in selected districts of Uttar Pradesh, India. It found that knowledge of spacing methods was generally good across districts while knowledge of limiting methods was also good except in Kaushambi. Current use of family planning methods was poor in all districts, though use of limiting methods was higher than spacing methods. Most women not currently using family planning expressed future intention to use limiting methods. Future intention to use was lowest in Pratapgarh district. Overcoming barriers like opposition from family or fears about side effects is necessary to improve family planning uptake in the regions.

1. ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, CURRENT USE AND FUTURE INTENTION TO USE FAMILY PLANNING METHODS IN SELECTED DISTRICTs OF UTTAR PRADESH Dr. Saurabh Mishra1( presenter ), Dr. (Mrs.) S. Dwivedi2,Prof. G. Singh31. J R- II, Community Medicine2. Prof. & Head, Department of Community Medicine 3. Ex. Prof. & Head, Department of Community Medicine M.L.N. Medical College , Allahabad

2. INTRODUCTIONIndia is 2nd most populous country in the world with population of 1169 million in 2007.

3. India is adding more than 13 million people every year.

4. India was the first country in the world to launch the National Family Planning Programme in the year 1952 but despite its implementation the fertility rate is high.

5. Among Indian states U.P. ranks 1st in population size and accounts for 16% of the country’s population.INTRODUCTIONIt is essential to assess the knowledge, current use and future intention to use family planning methods among eligible women. The study was carried out as a part of state wide survey for the Government of U.P. by Department of Community Medicine M.L.N. Medical College, Allahabad in selected Districts of Uttar Pradesh.

6. Aims and Objectives1. To assess the knowledge of family planning methods among eligible women aged 15-45 years.2. To assess the current use and future intention to use family planning methods among eligible women aged 15-45 years.

7. Material & MethodsStudy area: The study covered those districts of Uttar Pradesh which surround Allahabad that is-Pratapgarh Kaushambi Allahabad (Urban) Allahabad (Rural) Ballia Jaunpur Mirzapur Sonbhadra

8. Cont…Study Design: Cross-sectional studyStudy period: June 2005 to February 2007Sampling method: The WHO thirty cluster sampling method was used. Study Unit: Women in reproductive age group of 15-45 years were surveyed to cover at least seven women per cluster who had delivered during last one year.

9. OBSERVATIONSTABLE 1- KNOWLEDGE OF ELIGIBLE WOMEN ABOUT FAMILY PLANNING METHODS

10. OBSERVATIONSTABLE 2- CURRENT USE OF FAMILY PLANNING METHODS IN ELIGIBLE WOMEN

11. OBSERVATIONSTABLE 3- INTENDING TO USE ANY FAMILY PLANNING METHOD BY ELIGIBLE WOMEN

12. Conclusion Knowledge regarding spacing methods was good in all districts. It was highest in Pratapgarh and lowest in Kaushambi.Knowledge about limiting methods was also good in all districts except Kaushambi.Use of Family Planning Methods was poor in all districts. However use of any limiting method was more than any spacing method.

13. Conclusion Use of limiting methods was maximum in Mirzapur district and minimum in Kaushambi.The majority of women who were not using any family planning method at time of interview and intended to use in future responded in favour of limiting methods.Future intention to use any family planning method by eligible women of Pratapgarh district was lowest for both limiting methods and spacing methods.

14. THE WAY FORWARDDespite high knowledge about family planning methods among these districts, current use and future intention to use was low. Hence it is necessary to overcome the identified barriers like opposition from husband or relatives, fears about contraceptive side effects or dissatisfaction from services being provided.