ACTA FAC. MED. NAISS. 2006; 23 (1): 53-56

   Original article

STATE OF KNOWLEDGE IN WOMEN OF NIS ABOUT CONTRACEPTION AND FAMILY PLANNING

Olivera Radulovic¹, Aleksandar Visnjic¹, Cedomir Sagric², Ana Tasic², Marijana Bogdanovic³

¹University of Nis, Faculty of Medicine

²Public Health Institute Nis
³Students' Policlinic Nis
    

    SUMMARY

    Family planning is a historical category, typical of human community since its genesis up to the modern age.
    The aim of the study was to make an assessment of the state of knowledge on contraception and family planning in women in the generative period.
We have applied observational cohort study as the fundamental method in the assessment of the problem. Study included 1584 women aged 15-49, who lived in the Municipality of Nis. Data were collected by conducting a poll in the Municipality of Nis, from February to September 2002.
    The biggest numbers of interviewees (74.3%) define contraception as protection from unplanned pregnancy.
    Most of the interviewees reported that their source of information about contraception were newspapers and media (28.6%), and then school (21.6%).
39.2% of interviewees think that condom represents the most efficient method of contraception, 23.2% think it is pills, 21% - spiral, 10.3% - interrupted coition, 5.8% - calendar of fertile days and 0.5% choose local contraceptive means.
    Most of the interviewees (88.8%) estimate their knowledge about contraception as satisfactory.
    Complete definition of the idea of family planning was familiar to only 6.1% of interviewees.
    Women's knowledge about family planning and methods of contraception is not satisfactory. Therefore, it is necessary to promptly begin with promotion of protection of reproductive health.

    Keywords: women, knowledge, family planning