Fewer couples in state opt for contraception

Fewer couples in state opt for contraception
Preetu Nair | TNN

Panaji: Interesting but true. In Goa, though all married women are aware of at least one method of contraception, only a few use it. Even the couple protection rate, calculated on the basis of those using various contraceptive methods, is lesser in Goa if one compares it to those of the rest of the country.
While only 62% of couples in Goa have ever used a contraceptive method, the couple protection rate by usage of all such methods as of March 2005 is only 36%, as compared to India’s 47%. Further, half of the currently married women use a modern method and 22% use traditional contraceptive methods.
The most commonly used methods are female sterilization (28%), followed by the condom (17%), rhythm method (15%), withdrawal (13%), and the pill (10%). Eight per cent used IUD.
This has been revealed in the health information of Goa 2007 report, published by the health intelligence bureau of the directorate of health services. The report states that the current use of method is lower among Christians than among Hindus and Muslims. In all the three religious groups, the use of modern methods is higher than that of traditional methods.
“People are being made aware of the contraceptive methods available from the government of India. However, the choice of using contraceptives rests entirely with the couple,” said the directorate of health services’ chief medical officer (family welfare) Dr Pradeep Padwal.
However, not everyone agrees with the official figures. “I don’t think that government reports are reliable. People may not admit to using contraceptives because of personal reasons. But the low birth rate in the state definitely points to a wider use of contraceptives than the one pointed out by government figures,” said gynaecologist Dr Eugene D’Silva.
As per the report, the percentage of couples adopting tubectomy (female sterlization) is 99.6%, higher than the all-India percentage of 96.5%. However, vasectomy (male sterlization) is not popular with less than one per cent adopting the method.
Interestingly, of the 25 men who had a vasectomy done in 2004-05, 18 are from rural areas and their wives are illiterate. Literate women appear to prefer tubectomy.
Sources in the health department said that they are now working to increase the proportion of male sterilization from the current one percent to 20% by 2015.
Even the national family health survey-2 states that female sterilization is the most widely known method of contraception, followed by the pill. Overall 99% of married women know about female sterilization and 90% know about the pill.
Knowledge of the other sponsored methods (IUD, male sterilization, and condom) are lesser used. The condom is known by 87%, IUD by 80% and male sterilization by 77% of women. A majority of married women know at least one traditional method (57%).
Family planning methods and services are provided primarily through a network of government hospitals and urban family welfare centers in urban areas and primary health centers and sub centers in rural areas. Besides, private hospitals and clinics, as well as NGOs provide family planning services. Sterilization camps are also regularly organized.
2008 Jul 30 Times Of India Goa