Abstract

Background: There are few studies on the extent of awareness regarding different contraceptive methods among young women in Kerala.

Objectives: The main objective of this paper is to describe the gap between young women’s awareness and actual knowledge regarding different contraceptive methods. In addition, the paper describes how educational attainment relates to actual knowledge regarding different contraceptive methods.

Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 18–28 years old married (n = 203) and unmarried (n = 104) women during January–March 2015. Based on participants’ responses about the process involved in each method and its function to prevent pregnancy, the knowledge level was defined as knew nothing, very little, some, or good. The data analysis was mainly descriptive in nature.

Results: All participants were aware of tubectomy, but 59.6% of unmarried and 77.3% of married women had either some or good knowledge about it. Only 18.3% of unmarried and 10.9% married women had either some or good knowledge about vasectomy though more than 60% of both groups of women were aware of it. Majority of married women had either some or good knowledge about male condoms. Women had less knowledge about intrauterine device and injectable methods, and many were confused about oral contraceptive and emergency contraceptive pills. Education level did not show much influence in determining the actual knowledge about different contraceptive methods.

Conclusion: Awareness does not imply adequate knowledge regarding the use of contraceptive methods. The consequences of the extensive gap between awareness and the actual knowledge regarding contraceptive methods among young women can be a very low use of reversible methods of contraception and consequent low birth intervals or induced abortions that can negatively affect young women’s health status. The public health efforts should focus creating adequate knowledge among young women on different contraceptive methods beyond making only awareness about contraception.

Key words: Awareness; Knowledge; Contraceptive Methods; Young People; Kerala