Exploring the contraceptive behaviour on spacing methods among the married women of reproductive age group in a rural area of Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal – a qualitative study

INTRODUCTION: One of the goals of the National Population Policy 2000 was to stabilize the population at a level consistent with the requirement of national economy. Spacing methods are reversible methods of contraception. Vision FP2020 will build on policy of increasing focus on spacing services through voluntary adoption of family planning. With this background, the study was conducted to explore the spacing contraception behaviour among married women of reproductive age group. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August 2018 at a rural block of West Bengal. Four subcentres from a list of total 38 subcentres in the Bhatar block were selected by Simple random sampling (SRS). A list of currently married women of reproductive age group fulfilling the inclusion criteria was prepared and 10 women of each SC were chosen randomly. In-depth interviews were conducted among selected women and a focused group discussion was conducted involving the auxiliary nurse midwife (ANMs) to elicit reasons and barriers for contraceptive use from service providers’ perspective. RESULTS: The reasons for their current contraceptive choice were change in behaviour and, according to gender of the first baby, poor information, education, communication (IEC), personal preference, motivation by family members and health workers, religion and caste factors, fear and side effect for other methods, easy availability etc., CONCLUSION: The findings reinforce the need for targeted spacing contraception promotion that includes delivery of localized contraceptive services, increase of knowledge on safety and utility of spacing methods among eligible clients, their family members and local health workers.