Fertility intentions, current practices and associated factors among co-habiting women in a medical officer of health area in the district of Nuwara Eliya
<p>Background:</p><p>Identifying the prevailing intentions and practices related to fertility among females is important in promoting pre-pregnancy care service delivery to eligible families.</p><p>Objective:</p><p>To describe the fertility intentions regard...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka
2018-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of the College of Community Physicians |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jccpsl.sljol.info/articles/8161 |
| Summary: | <p>Background:</p><p>Identifying the prevailing intentions and practices related to fertility among females is important in promoting pre-pregnancy care service delivery to eligible families.</p><p>Objective:</p><p>To describe the fertility intentions regarding conception; awareness and current practices related to pregnancy preparedness; and factors associated with current fertility practices among fertile women in the district of Nuwara Eliya</p><p><br />Methods:</p><p>The current study was carried out as a community-based cross-sectional study among 476 cohabiting women in the reproductive age (15-44 years) living in the medical officer of health area, Ambagamuwa. Future and current pregnancy intentions were ascertained. Among the current intenders, their awareness and practices on pre-pregnancy fertility (rubella vaccination, folic acid use, adequate sexual exposure, nutritionally acceptable dietary habits) and factors associated with such practices were assessed. Those not intending a current pregnancy were assessed for family planning practices and associated factors.</p><p>Results:</p><p>Of the women, 300 (63.0%; 95% CI=58.5, 67.4) wanted a pregnancy. Current intention of child bearing was present among 142 (29.8%; 95% CI=25.8, 34.2) women. The awareness on rubella vaccine was observed to be higher (81.0%) compared to the awareness on healthy dietary habits during pre-pregnancy period (62.0%), on the use of folic acid (51.4%) and adequate level of sexual exposure for pregnancy (43.7%). The prevalence of related practices of vaccination with rubella (75.4%), pre-conceptional use of folic acid (12.7%), adequate sexual exposure for pregnancy (42.2%) and adherence to a healthy diet (21.8%) indicated a gap between awareness and practice. Certain socio-demographic factors were related to poor practices. Among those currently not intending to get<br />pregnant, 264 (79.0%) were using a contraceptive method.</p><p>Conclusions:</p><p>The identified modifiable socio-demographic factors should be addressed in planning for improvement in pre-pregnancy care in the local setting.</p> |
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| ISSN: | 1391-3174 2579-1451 |