Abstract

Background: In India Medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) legalised in 1971, India is one of the countries that legalized abortion on moderately liberal grounds for women to access safe abortion services. The higher fertility in India is attributed to early marriage, low level of literacy, poor level of living, limited use of contraceptives and traditional ways of life. Family planning plays a key role in deciding the desired family size and effective limitation of fertility. Though MTP is a safe procedure and legalised, its use is limited due complications to lack of awareness and it is dangerous to use it for spacing. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to understand the factors influencing MTPs & the subsequent adoption of contraceptive methods following it. The objectives of the study were to study the socio- demographic and obstetric profile of women undergoing termination of pregnancy and to study the reasons for termination of pregnancy and the concurrent contraceptive methods adopted by these women.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among women who underwent MTP at SUT hospital during the study period. The details regarding their socio demographic profile, previous obstetric history, reason for undertaking MTP and acceptance of post abortal contraception were taken.

Results: Among the 168, MTP seekers 26.19% of women were below the age of 26 to 29 years, 80.3% of women resided in urban area and 45.2 % of the women were either had primary education. Humanitarian grounds (54.7%) were the main reason for current termination of pregnancy. Majority (70%) opted for IUDs as post abortion contraception and (30%) opted for permanent sterilisation as a method for contraception.

Conclusions: Eligible couples have to be educated regarding the various methods of family planning to avoid unwanted pregnancy.  

Keywords: MTP, Post abortal Contraception.