Knowledge on birth control pills among married rural Indian women.

Abstract

Despite the availability and benefits of birth control pills, rural areas in countries like India face challenges regarding contraceptive knowledge and utilization. Factors such as limited access to healthcare, cultural taboos, and educational barriers contribute to this issue. Addressing these gaps requires tailored reproductive health education and improved access to contraceptive services. This study aims to assess birth control pill knowledge among married women in rural areas of Mahesana District, Gujarat, India, considering socio-demographic factors and information sources. A descriptive research design was employed, with 100 married women sampled using convenience sampling. Data were collected through structured questionnaires covering socio-demographic variables and birth control pill knowledge. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including chi-square tests, were utilized for analysis. The mean knowledge score for birth control pills among surveyed women was 11.97 out of 20, corresponding to 59.85%. Significant associations were found between knowledge levels and age, number of children, religion, occupation, family-type, source of information, socioeconomic status and education level. Younger women and those with fewer children demonstrated higher knowledge levels. Additionally, women with higher education, access to healthcare, and diverse sources of information exhibited greater knowledge. The study reveals a substantial level of knowledge among rural married women regarding birth control pills, suggesting effective dissemination of contraceptive information in the studied region. Factors such as education, access to healthcare, and diverse information sources significantly influence contraceptive knowledge. These findings align with previous research, emphasizing the importance of tailored interventions and improved access to reproductive health services. Further research could explore additional factors influencing contraceptive knowledge and inform targeted interventions for improving reproductive health outcomes in rural areas.