Awareness and practice patterns of family planning methods among antenatal women in Indian community: Are we hitting the bull's eye?

A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey was undertaken to assess the awareness and practice patterns of family planning among the antenatal women in North India. The study included 400 respondents. Three-fourths of the respondents (74.2%, n = 297) were aware of family planning methods. Condoms were the most commonly used family planning method (78.2%), while intrauterine devices and oral contraceptive pills were used by 25.5% and 16.7% respondents, respectively. The main reasons cited for not using contraception were inadequate knowledge and fear of side-effects. Post counseling, 90.5% (n = 362) of the respondents clearly conveyed their desire to use one of the family planning methods in the postpartum period. Awareness and acceptance of family planning methods in the Indian community needs strengthening. Family planning counseling during antenatal check-up is likely to increase the acceptance of family planning methods in the postpartum period.