Family Planning Awareness & Attitude among Female Medical Students

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of premarital family planning awareness and attitude among female medical students. 2) To determine the frequency of premarital family planning counseling by health professionals.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Sir Syed College of Medical Sciences for Girls (SSCMS) Karachi from 1^st October 2021 to 31^st December 2021.

Materials and Methods: Non-probability, convenient sampling. Sample size: 100 students. A questionnaire was utilized to collect relevant information. Inclusion criteria: unmarried Muslim, 4^th year and final year medical students between 21–25 years. Exclusion criteria: married students. Statistical analysis:  SPSS version 21. Ethical approval: 019/ 2021.

Results: Mean age: 23 years +_2 SD, students. Premarital family planning thought: n=23(23 %) students. Myths: 20 (20%) students. Fear: 45 (45%) students. Cultural restriction: 15 (15 %) students. Religious belief: 33 (33%) students. Responsibility: n=90(90 %) thought that both the partners are responsible. Premarital counseling by health professional: Only 22, (22%) students. Easily accessible: n=51 (51%) students thought, Affordable: n=61 (61%) students.

Conclusion: This study especially addressed unmarried Muslim female medical students who showed their good knowledge about contraception, with very few myths, having minimal religious or cultural restrictions but even then only about a quarter of the students had premarital family planning thought. This study also showed paucity of counseling by health professionals.