REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH OF MARRIED WOMEN IN RURAL AREAS

IN CHITTOOR DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH: A STUDY WITH

SPECIAL REFERENCE TO HUMAN RIGHTS

I. General Information
1. Age:

Age influences the human behaviour; it is an important factor, which reflects upon the

individuals attitudes and understanding as an individual advances in age. An individual

changes their attitudes and perceptions as per the age as they undergo a series of changes in

their life and are more exposed than the lesser age. Hence, the researcher studied this

variable under the profile and also studied if age is related to Reproductive Health of

Married Women in Rural Areas. Data in this regard are tested and the results in this regard

are presented in table below.

Age No of Respondent %
142 29
18-25 years
165 41
26-35 years
103 21
36-45 years
40 09
45 and above
450 100
total

The above table indicates that more than half of the respondents that is 41

percent belong to the reproductive age of 18-35 years. A little less than half of the

respondents belong to the age group 26 to 35 years. Nearly one fourth of the

respondents also belong to the age group of 36 to 45 years which may be due to

delayed marriages and late pregnancies.

2. Religion:

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 Cultural and religious beliefs play a key role in the formation of perceptions and attitudes.

When looking at issues or challenges that affect people. With the availability of appropriate

reproductive health knowledge and services, reproductive health amongst women and young people

will enjoy tremendous improvements. With more accurate knowledge many more people can

embrace the usefulness and importance of contraceptives and family planning in protecting

themselves sexually. Religion also influences the reproductive health and the data regarding Religion

of the respondents is presented below.

Religion No of Respondents %
353 78
Hindu
52 12
Muslim
45 10
Christian
0 0
Others
450 100
Total

It is evident from the above table that a majority of the respondents (78%)

belong to Hindu Religion, while Muslims and Christians accorded to (12%) and

(10%) respectively.

3. Caste:

In India the stratification of social class (caste) is one of the strongest social

determinants of health. Furthermore, caste has been shown to be the most appropriate

household characteristic for identifying poor and disadvantaged households. The

summative term socially backward classes (SBC) is commonly used in India to

describe some of the most socially disadvantaged groups and includes the scheduled

castes (SC) and scheduled tribes (ST) and other backward caste (OBC). They are not

only distinguished by economic poverty but also by their marginalization and

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seclusion from the rest of the society, having different traditions and living in the most

economically disadvantaged areas.

Being a member of an OBC in India is associated with lower use of

reproductive health services and poorer maternal health outcomes. According to the

NFHS 3, the likelihood of receiving any type of ANC is lowest among women

belonging to SC or ST. Only 18% of the births among these women are conducted at a

health facility, compared to 51% among women who do not belong to SC, ST, or any

OBC. With this as the background the researched had studied the relation between

Caste and Reproductive health of women.

Caste No of Respondents %
95 21
OC
244 54
Backward Class
78 17
Scheduled Class
33 8
Scheduled Tribes
Total 450 100

It is evident from the above table that half of the respondents (54%) of the

respondents belong to the backward class, while nearly one fourth of the respondents

belonged to SC, and around 8% belonged to ST, a little less than one fourth of the

respondents (21%) belong to OC.

4. Educational Qualification:

Education plays a vital role in the life of an individual; it increases ones

awareness and helps to develop a clear and analytical way of thinking. Education

forms attitudes and enables one to think independently therefore considering the

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educational qualifications of the respondents is necessary and the researcher included

qualification as one of the variables under profile and the results are as shown below.

Educational Qualification No of Respondents %

64 14
Illiterate
187 42
10th class
121 27
Intermediate
78 17
Graduation
- -
Others (specify)
450 100
Total

It is clear from the above table that a little less than half of the respondents

(42%) of the respondents are educated up to 10 th class, while one fourth of the

respondents (27%) are educated up to intermediate, a little less than one fourth of the

respondents (17%) are educated up to graduation and only 14 percent of the

respondents are illiterates.

5. Type of house:

The type of the house in which a person lives and socializes is likely to have

impact on his beliefs system and in moulding his own personality. This will have an

immense value in giving a response to a problem faced by him and hence the variable

house type was investigated. The data presented in the following Table shows be

result of investigation.

No of
Type of House Respondents %
29 7
Kutcha
191 42
Pucca

4
 230 51
Semi-Pucca
Any other - -
(Specify)
450 100
Total

It is evident from the above table that nearly three fourth of the respondents are

either living in Pucca or Semi Pucca house, respondents staying in pucca house

include (51 percent) and the respondents who stay in semi pucca house include (42

percent), while only (7 percent) of the respondents stayed in kutcha house.

6. Types of Fuel for cooking :

Cooking Item No of Respondents %

45 10
Wood
33 7
Electricity
357 79
LPG
15 4
Bio-gas
450 100
Total

The above table explains about the type of fuel used for cooking and it is clear

that a large majority (79 percent) of the respondents are using LPG, while less than

one fourth of the respondents (10 percent) of the respondents are using wood for

cooking, a less percentage of the respondents (7 percent) of the respondents are using

electricity and a very few (4 per cent) of the respondents are using bio gas.

7. Types of Toilet using:

Type of Toilet No of Respondents %

355 79
Own Toilet
15 3
Public Toilet

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 69 15
Open Deification
11 3
Others
450 100
Total

It is evident from the above table that a vast majority of the respondents (79

percent) of the respondents have the toilet constructed in their homes, despite a little

less than the one fourth of the respondents (15 percent) go for open defecation and a

negligible percent of the respondents (3 percent) are using public toilet system.

8. Details of Livestock:

No of Respondents Percentage

365 81
Yes
85 19
No
450 100
Total

The above table describes about the presence of livestock at home and it is

clear that a large majority (81 percent) of the respondents own livestock.

8. Types of Vehicle:

No of Respondents Percentage

Yes 315 70

No 135 30

Total 450 100

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 It is clear from the above table that a large majority of the respondents (70

percent) of the respondents own vehicles, while nearly one fourth of the respondents

(30 percent) do not own any vehicle.

II. HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS

1. Sources of Drinking water:

No of Respondents %
Piped Water 113 25

Ground Water 25 5

Well Water 111 25

Public Well 133 30

Surface Water 44 10

Tanker/ Truck 24 5

Total 450 100

The above table describes about the main source of drinking water availability

for the respondents households. It is clear that a little over than one fourth of the

respondents households use the public well, nearly one fourth of the respondents

households use well water, another one fourth of the respondents use piped water,

while thirteen percent of the respondents use surface water, seven percent of the

respondents use water from tankers and five percent of the respondents use the ground

water.

2. Toilet facility in house:

No of Respondents %
Flush Toilet 41 9

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 Pit Toilet I Latrine 377 84

No Facility 32 7

Others(Specify) 0 0

Total 450 100

The above table describes the availability of the public toilet facility to the

households of the respondents. The data from the above table reveals that a large

majority of the households have Pit Toilet, a less percent that is eight percent of the

households use flush toilet and a very less percent of the households do not have toilet

facility.

3. What is the main source of lighting for your house?

No of Respondents %
Electricity 445 99
Kerosene 5 1
Gas 0 0
Oil 0 0
Others(Specify) 0 0
TOTAL 450 100

The table above reveals the data related to the source of lighting for the

respondents. Almost all the respondents that is ninety nine percent of the respondents

have electricity and only one percent of the respondents use kerosene lamps.

4. Do you have a separate room that is used as kitchen?

No of Respondents %
125 28
Yes
325 72
No

8
 450 100
Total

It is clear from the above table that three fourth of the respondents do not have
a separate room for kitchen and while one fourth of the respondents have a separate
room for kitchen facility.

5. does this household own this house or any others house?

No of Respondents %

Yes 475 95

No 25 5

Total 500 100

6. Does this household own any agricultural land? 1) Yes 2) No

No of Respondents %

Yes 450 90

No 50 10

Total 500 100

7. How much agricultural land does this household own?

No of Respondents %

1-5 acres 325 65

6-10 acres 110 22

11-15 acres 15 3

Other 50 10

Total 500 100

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 It is clear from the above table that a very large percentage of the respondents

households own agricultural land between 1-5 acres, while a little less than the one

fourth (22 percent) of the respondents households own agricultural land between 6-10

acres, while three percent of the respondents households own agricultural land

between 11-15 acres.

9. Does this household own any of the following.

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 III. REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
1. How old you are when you married?
Age of marriage is an important factor that determinates the decision making

capacity of an individual which is turn affects the usage of FPM. The results regards

age of marriage of the respondents is given below.

No of Respondents %

Below 18 years 168 34

19-20 years 207 41

21-25 years 110 22

26 and above years 15 3

Total 500 100

It is evident from the table above that a majority of the respondents (41 percent)

have said that the age of marriage was twenty years, while more than one fourth (34

percent) of the respondents have said that their age of marriage was eighteen years, a

little less than one fourth of the respondents (22 percent) have said that their age at

marriage was twenty two years, and only (3 percent) of the respondents have said that

their age at marriage was thirty years and above.

It is understood that almost three fourth of the respondents (75 percent) of the

respondents have got married between 18 years to 20 years that means they are

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following the government rule of minimum age of marriage. As majority of them are

young their decision making ability may be different and Reproductive Health also

may be affected as they are very young.

2. The final decision to consent to marriage was made by:

Final decision to consent to marriage also the effectives of Family Planning

Method (FPM). The person who takes decision must also have the knowledge of

Family Planning Method as the knowledge regarding Family Planning Method affects

the Reproductive Health. The findings regarding the final decision to consent to

marriage are given below.

No of Respondents %

Myself only 18 4

My future spouse and myself 65 13

Jointly with my family 401 80

My future spouses family
11 2
members
Other (specify) 5 1

Total 500 100

The data in the above table reveals that more than three fourth of the

respondents (80 percent) said that they take the decision jointly with the members of

the family. A little less than one fourth of the respondents (13 percent) have said that

the decision was made with future spouse by involving the respondents. Only (4

percent) have said for themselves another (2 percent) have said consent in made by

future spouse family members and only (1 percent) of the respondents said consent

was made by others.

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 Since majority of the respondents have said that the consent was by the family

members jointly, there are chances that the respondents gets much attention and their

Reproductive Health is taken care by the members of the family.

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3. Underline the preferred answer. What is your attitude towards the following statements?

No of Respondents %
Totally agree 220 44
Agree 175 35
Do not know 57 11
Partially Disagree 32 6
Totally Disagree 21 4
Total 500 100

A little less than half of the respondents (44 percent) of the respondents have

said that they totally agree , another (35 percent) of the respondents said they agree,

another (11 percent) said they do not know , 6 percent have partially disagree and

another (4 percent) totally disagree with regard to attitude towards the respondents.

4. Womens are expected to focus primarily on family matters,

In Indian situation women are expected to focus on family matters.

Reproductive Health & Family Planning Method are also a part of family matters, but

in most case family matters include cooking, cleaning, serving and rearing. The data

regarding focus of women on family matters is given below.

No of Respondents %

325 65
Totally agree
115 23
Agree
40 8
Do not know
15 3
Partially Disagree
5 1
Totally Disagree
500 100
Total

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 The data in the above data reveals that more than half of the respondents (65

percent) totally agree that womens focus primarily on family matters, nearly one

fourth of the respondents (23 percent) agree, while only (8 percent) do not know if

womens focus is on family matters, only (3 percent) of the respondents said they

partially disagree and only (1 percent) of the respondents totally disagree that

womens focus is primarily on family matters.

Almost 83 percent of the respondents agree that womens primary focus is on

family matters, when women focus on family matters then they do not have time to

take of Reproductive Health & FPM get effected .

5. While career and civic activities should be of secondary importance.

When careers and civic activities are to be considered by women usually it is of

secondary importance. When career is of secondary importance then naturally

Reproductive Health will be better as women get ample time to take care of their

health. The results regarding career and civic activities are given below.

No of Respondents %

Totally agree 217 43

Agree 178 36

Do not know 74 15

Partially Disagree 21 4

Totally Disagree 10 2

Total 500 100

It is understood from the table above that half of the respondents(43 percent)

have totally agreed that career and civic activities are of secondary importance to

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them, less than half of the respondents (36 percent) have agreed that career and civic

activities are of secondary importance, less than one fourth of the respondents (15

percent) said that they do not know, while (4 percent) of the respondents partially

disagree, that career and civic activities should be of secondary importance and only

(2 percent) of the respondents have totally disagreed.

6. How many children do you have?

The number of children in a family affects the health status, Reproductive

Health and usage of Family Planning Method. The data in the below table reveals the

number of children in each family.

No of Respondents %

One 67 14

Two 376 75

Three 46 9

Four 11 2

Total 500 100

It can be seen in the data given above that three fourth of the respondents (75

percent) have only Two children, less than one fourth of the respondents (14 percent)

have one child, another ( 9 Percent) of the respondents have told that they have three

children, and (2 percent) of them said that they have four children.

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 It can be understood that as majority of the respondents are having two children

it is indicative that they are following FPM and since they are following FPM their

RH is also taken care off.

7. Who was involved in decision-making on family size and/or spacing of children?

Majority of the times decision making on family size and spacing of children

are to be taken jointly by the wife and husband. The findings with regard to partners

involved in decision making on family size or spacing of children is given below.

No of Respondents %

Husband 134 27

Only self 25 5

Jointly with husband 241 48

Physician 45 9
Other (my mother and father, my in-
laws, other relatives, etc.) 55 11

Total 500 100

It is very clear from the data given in the above table that nearly half of the

respondents (48 percent) have said that both wife and husband are involved in

decision making while more than one fourth of the respondents (27 percent) have said

that only husband decided, around (11 percent) of the respondents have said other

members of the family like (parents, parents-in-law and relatives are involved),

interestingly (9 percent) of the respondents have said that physician was also involved

and only (5 percent) of the respondents said that it was self decision.

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 As nearly half of the respondents have told that both the partners were involved in

decision making it is an indication of empowerment.

8. In cases of your disagreement with husband on family size and/or spacing of children,
who has the final say?

While decisions are made, there is a chance for disagreement. During

disagreement with husband either of the spouse should have the final say. Whoever

has the final say will have an impact on the decisions made and the data pertaining to

there is given below.

No of Respondents %

Husband 192 38
Only self 11 2
Jointly with husband 242 48
Physician 13 3
Other (my mother and father,
42 9
my in-laws, other relatives, etc.)
Total 500 100

The data in the above table reveals that nearly half of the respondents (48

percent) have said that the wife and husband together have the final say and it is

almost the same percentage of respondents who have said that both are involved in

decision making. It is also to observed that more than one fourth of the respondents

(38 percent) have said that husband has the final say, while (9 percent) of the

respondents have said that their other member of the family have the final say, another

(3 percent) of the respondents have said that the physician had the final say and only

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(2 percent) of the respondents have said that final say was their and it is same as

decision making.

It can be conducted that the ones who have the final say are also the same as

the way they are involved in decision making.

9. What factors can affect your decision on family size and spacing of children? (Tick off in
all appropriate boxes).
Certain factors will affect the decision making process with regard to family

size and spacing of children. Those factors in turn can also affect the reproductive

health and FPM. The findings related to factors that affect decision making on family

size and spacing of children is given below.

No of Respondents %

Financial situation 253 51

Inadequate housing 22 4

Desire for a son in the family 45 9

Desire for a daughter in the family 28 5

Family pressure 39 8
Availability or accessibility of family
56 11
planning services

Abortion 34 7

Social norms 23 5

Total 500 100

The above table shows that almost half of the respondents (51 percent) have

agreed that financial situation affects the decision making process, less than one fourth

of the respondents (11 percent) have said about the availability of accessibility of

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family planning services, (9 percent) of them said about the desire for a son in the

family, (8 percent) of them have told about the family pressures, (7 percent) of them

have told about the abortion, (5 percent) have told about the desire for a daughter in

the family, another (5 percent) have told about social norms and (4 percent) have told

about inadequate housing.

It can be clearly understood that financial situation and health care are related.

Surprisingly the desire for a son and daughter in the family is also an influencing

factor where more respondents have said for a son is the family. It can be concluded

how much of awareness on FPM, still there are several factors that are influencing the

decision making on family size and they need to be addressed by the health care

officials including social workers.

10. Age at menarche:

11. Age at marriage:

Age at the time of Marriage (in Number of Percentage

Years) Respondent

Less than 16 Years 22 04.00

16-18 years 108 22.00
18-20 years 175 35.00
20-25 years 120 24.00
More than 25 years 75 15.00
Total 500 100.00

Marriageable age is the age at which a person is allowed to marry, either as of

right or subject to parental or other forms of consent. The age and other requirements

vary between countries, but generally it is set at 18, for women although most

jurisdictions allow marriage at slightly younger ages with parental and/or judicial

approval, or in case of pregnancy. The marriage age should not be confused with the

20
age of majority or the age of consent, or the actual age at first marriage in a particular

society.

12. Duration of married life: __________years

13. Age at first pregnancy: ____________

14. Number of living children: Male_________Female____________

15. Number of abortions if any:

16. Number of infant deaths if any:

17. Number of children with (a) Physical deformity if any:

(b) Mental deformity if any:

18. Spacing between the children:

Reproductive health also depends upon spacing in between children. The more

the spacing the better the chances of resolving of the mother and the parents devote

properly to the family. The findings about the spacing between children are given

below.

No of Respondents %

1st and 2nd years 189 38

2nd and 3rd years 256 51

3rd and 4th years 55 11

Total 500 100

It can be understood from the table above nearly half of the respondents (51

percent) have said that they had spacing for 2 nd and 3rd years, less than half of the

respondents (38 percent) have said they had spacing between 1 st and 2nd years, less

than one fourth of the respondents (11 percent) have told that they had spacing

between 3rd and 4th years.

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 It is concluded from the above that most of them had spacing between 2 nd and

3rd years.

19. Age of the last child

20. Do you think spacing between children should be there?

The findings with regard to where spacing should be there or not is given
below.

No of Respondents %

Yes 375 75

No 125 25

Total 500 100

The data is the above table reveals that a vast majority of the respondents (75

percent) have said that there should be spacing and another one fourth (25 percent)

have said that spacing should not be there.

21. Do you think male children are must in the family?

As per sociologist and feminist thought India is a patriarchal society where

decision to have a male child is being influenced by them. The table below gives the

findings regarding preference for a male child.

No of Respondents %

398 80
Yes
102 20
No
500 100
Total

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 It is surprising to know from the table above that a vast majority of the

respondents (80 percent) of them have told that they prefer a male child. It is natural

that when there in preference for male child there will more pregnancies bored by the

preferred coupled and that will affect the Reproductive Health. A little less than one

fourth of the respondents (20 percent) have told that they do not have any preferences

for male child.

Through the country has advanced still there in preferences for male child

which affects the Reproductive Health and effective usage of FPM.

22. Do you know what does family planning mean?

The couple who is going to get married should be aware Family Planning as the

next step immediate after marriage is family and the married lifed adjustments depend

on Family Planning. The findings regarding whether they are aware of Family

Planning is given below.

No of Respondents %

Yes 500 100

No 0 0

Total 500 100

The data from the above table shows that all the respondents (100 percent) are

aware about the Family Planning, but what is important is how effectively are the

using Family Planning Management. The following tables given the analysis of usage

of contraceptives.

IV. USE OF CONTRACEPTI VES

1. Are you/ or your husband doing something using any method to delay or avoid

getting pregnant?

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 It is important that both the spouses should be aware of usage of contraceptives to
avoid getting pregnant.

No of Respondents %

Yes 82 84

No 418 16

Total 500 100

From the above table it is understood that a vast majority of the respondents 84

percent have agree that either they or these spouse is using contraceptive to avoid

getting pregnant and a less than one fourth of the respondents 16 percent have said

that neither them self nor then spouses is does not use contraceptives to avoid getting

pregnant.

2. If yes, what method were you using?

All the respondents who have agreed that they are using contraceptives, were again

asked about the method of contraception they are using and the results are shown in

the below table.

No of Respondents %
Pill 43 52

Condom 12 15

IUD/ loop 22 27

FS 5 6

Others (specify) 0 0

Total 82 100

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 It is evident from the above table that nearly half of the respondents 52

percent of the respondents have that they agreed they are using pills, a little more than

one fourth 27 percent of the respondents have said that are using pills, a little less than

one fourth of the respondents 15 percent of the respondents have said they are using

condom and a very few of the respondents 6 percent have said that they are using FS

method. From the study it is understood that pill is the most common method used

followed by it is IUD/ Loop.

3. For how many months are you continuously using pills/condoms?

It is also useful to study for how many months the respondents were

continuously using then the findings are shown and discussed below.

No of Respondents %
1 month 44 54

2 months 25 31

5 months 11 13

8months 2 2

1 Year 0 0

Total 82 100

The above table respondents the data about how many months do they

continuously used the contraceptives. It was found that a little more than half of the

respondents 54 percent have said that they were using it from one month, a little less

than half of the respondents 31 percent of they have said that they were using two

months, a less than a quarter of them 13 percent of the respondents have said that they

25
were using it continuously for more than five months, and a neglible percent of them

have that they were using it for continuously for eight months.

4. Do you get the supply of pills/ condoms whenever you need them?

The success of usage of the contraceptives also depends on the availability or

supply of them. Hence the researcher studied about the availability and supply of the

contraceptives and the results are as below.

No of Respondents %

Yes 120 24

No 170 34

Not Applicable 210 42

Total 500 100

It is understood from the above table a little less than half of the respondents 42

percent have said that it is not applicable, a little more one fourth of the respondents

34 percent have said that the supply of contraceptives is not there whenever they need

and nearly one fourth 24 percent of the respondents have said that the supply is there

continuously.

5. From where do you obtain the supply of pills/condoms?

The availability of the pills/ condoms will have an impact on continuous use

of Family Planning Method. The effective use of family planning method depends

on the availability and accessibility either through public, private, NGOs and

medical shops and through any other sources. The analysis about the supply of

pills/ condoms is given in below table.

26
 No of Respondents %

Public 279 56

Private 125 25

NGO 32 7

Medical Shop 47 9

Other (Specify) 17 3

Total 500 100

It is understood from the above table that a little more half of the respondents

46 percent of the respondents have said that they got the supply from public, another

one fourth 25 percent of the respondents have agreed that the supply was from private

source, a very less portion of respondents. 7 percent have said that they got the supply

from NGOs, another 9 percent of the respondents have said that the supply was from

medical store, and another 3 percent of the respondents have said the supply was from

other source. It is clear from the analysis that a majority of the respondents depend on

public health care for the supply followed by private supply and a very small portion

of the respondents depended on medical shops.

6. From where does this person obtain the pills/condoms?

No of Respondents %

Public 259 52

Private 135 27

NGO 42 9

Medical Shop 37 7

Other (Specify) 27 5
Total 500 100

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 7. Who inserted the IUD/ LOOP?
The effective use of Family Planning Method also depends on who inserts them as

a trained person will serve better than an untrained person and the analysis for their in

given below.

No of Respondents %
Government Doctor 242 49
Trained Volunteer 41 8
Private doctor 212 42
Others (Specify) 5 1
Total 500 100

The above table clearly shows that a majority of the respondents 49 percent

have said that the government doctor had inserted the loop, as much as 42 percent of

the respondents have said private doctor had inserted, only 8 percent of the

respondents have said that the trained volunteer had inserted and only 1percent of the

respondents have said other sources.

It is understood that an equal response in these for government and private

doctor and very few of the respondents have taken the services of a trained volunteer.

8. Where did you go to get the IUD/ LOOP inserted?

No of Respondents %

Government 228 45

Ngo 69 14

Private 179 36

Others(Specify) 24 5

Total 500 100

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 The above table clearly shows that a majority of the respondents 45 percent

have said that the government doctor had inserted the loop, as much as 36 percent of

the respondents have said private doctor had inserted, only 14 percent of the

respondents have said that the trained volunteer had inserted and only 5 percent of the

respondents have said other sources. It is understood that an equal response in these

for government and private doctor and very few of the respondents have taken the

services of a trained volunteer.

9. Who mainly motivated you to use the method?

The use of Family Planning Method also depends on the cooperation between

the spouses and also many of the couples may not be aware of the usage of FPM. For

the couples to be aware of this FPM and even if they are aware they may fear about

the usage and hence the effective of usage of the FPM depends on the motivation they

get. The following table gives the findings about who motivated the couples for using

FPM.

No of Respondents %
Doctor 189 38

Health Worker. 234 47

Husband 44 9

Self 15 3
In-laws 6 1

Neighbours 7 1
Others (Specify) 5 1
Total 500 100

It is evident from the above table that a majority 47 percent of the respondents

have said that the health worker had motivated them to use Family Planning Method

around thirty 38 percent of the respondents have said that the doctor motivated them,

29
around 9 percent of the respondents have said that their husband mo0tivated them,

only 3 percent of the respondents have said that it was self motivation one percent of

the respondents have said that in-laws motivated them, on other One percent said that

neighbours motivated them.

From the above analysis it is understood that health worker are motivating to a

greater extends followed by doctor, then husbands then in-laws, then self and

neighbours also. It is evident that health worker role is crucial in motivating.

10. How would you rate the care you/ your husband received during or

immediately after the operation/ IUD insertion, very good, all right, not so

good, or bad?

The reproductive health of a person also depends upon the care they get from

their spouses while they follow the method. The findings with their regard are given

below.

No of Respondents %

Very good 188 38

All Right 204 41

Not So Good 85 17

Bad 23 4

Total 500 100

The above table shows that a majority of the respondents 41 percent have

said that the quality of care they received while undergoing the treatment was alright,

around 38 percent of the respondents have said the care was very good, 17 percent of

30
them have said that the care was not so good and only 4 percent have said that the care

was good.

11. Do you talk to your husband about family planning?

It is understood from previous researcher that the effective use of Family

Planning also depends upon communication pattern between the wife and husband.

When the wife talks to husband about Family Planning there is a chance that husband

can also be motivated unlike in Indian situation where wife follows husbands

direction. Hence the researcher included a question whether the wife discussion about

the matters related to Family Planning Method to husband and the findings are as

follows.

No of Respondents %

500 100
Yes
0 0
No
500 100
Total

It is evident and very much surprising to know from the above table that

husband 100 percent of the wives have agreed that they spoke to their husbands about

FPM. We can understand that the role of women is usage of Family Planning Method

has changed and they are more active in communicating to their husband. The usage

of FPM will be more effective when women / wife are communicating to their

husband as it is the need and choice of women about usage of FPM.

31
 12. Does your husband approve of your contraceptive use?

Approval from husband about usage of FPM will also influence the

reproductive health of the married women. The researcher included a question on the

approval by husband and the details are as below.

No of Respondents %

500 100
Yes
0 0
No
500 100
Total

It is very clear from the above table that hundred percent of the women have

said that there is approval from their husbands about the contraceptive use. This is a

very positive sign about the husbands understanding about the contraceptive use

which will result is better reproductive health and there is also indirection about

change in thoughts from older generation to the younger generation.

13. Does your MIL approve of your contraceptive use?

The reproductive health and contraceptive use not only depend upon the

approval of husband by but also on the approval by the mother in-law in Indian

families. The researcher also studied the approval by mother law in contraceptive use

and the finding are as discussed below.

No of Respondents %

Yes 86 17

No 120 24

No Interference 145 29

No MIL 149 30

32
 Total 500 100

A little above one fourth of the respondents 30 percent has said that MIL was

not there, almost the same percent of the respondents (29 percent) have said that their

mother in-law was on Interfering nearly one fourth (24 percent) of the respondents

have said that there was no approval and only 17 percent of them have said that was

mother in-law approval. This is in contrast to the husband approval where all the 100

percent of the respondents have said that there was husbands approval, while 17

percent have approval. This clearly indirection the decreasing role of mother law in

contraceptive use and increasing role of husband is contraceptive use and reproductive

health.

V. HEALTH CONCERNS

1. How do you rate years Health status?

The general health of a person does affect the usage of FPM and the usage of FPM

also influences the health of a person as improper usage might result in certain side

effects.

No of Respondents %

Poor 45 9

Moderate 143 29

Good 275 55

Dont Know 37 7

Total 500 100

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 The above table shows that a little above than fifty five percent (55) of the

respondents have said that their health is good, a little more than one fourth of the

respondents (29 percent) have said that their health condition is moderate, 7 percent of

the respondents are not aware of their health status while only 9 percent of the

respondents have said that their health condition in poor. It is can understood from the

above interpretation that a majority of them have said that the health is good. Good

general healthy means the good reproductive health as well.

2. Did you suffer from any of the following health hazards during the last 3 years?
The overall health condition of a person depends upon health hazards. If a

person had any health hazard in the recent past it will have a bearing on the usage of

FPM.

No of Respondents %
Not Suffered 257 51

UTI 117 23

Asthma 21 4

Skin Diseases 93 19

Others (Specify) 12 3

Total 500 100

It is understood from the above table that a vast majority (51 percent) of the

respondents have not suffered any health hazard in the recent past. Nearly one fourth

of the respondents (23 percent) have suffered from UTIs, while a little less than one

fourth of the respondents (19 percent) have suffered from skin diseases, Four percent

of the respondents have suffered from Asthema and another 3 percent of them have

suffered from other health hazards which were not mentioned. These interpretation

34
about health hazard have made it clear that almost half of the respondents do not have

any health hazard and there is an indication that no health hazard means their

reproductive health also will be in good condition.)

3. Did you seek treatment for it?

The data is the previous table has shows that nearly one fourth of the

respondents have suffered from UTIs and another nineteen percent of them have

suffered from skin diseases. It is required to know if they have seeked treatment for

such infections as they interfere with usage of FPM. Hence a question on if treatment

was seeked for the infections and the analysis is as fallows.

No of Respondents %

Yes 375 75

No 56 11

Not Applicable 69 14

Total 500 100

The data in the above table shows that almost three fourth of the respondents, a

vast majority (75 percent) of those who were infected have said that they seeked

treatment, while only eleven percent of the infected respondents have said that they

did not seek any treatment. (it is clear from the analysis that since a vast majority have

seeked treatments, it will improve the RHC of the respondents which in turn will

results is usage of FPM.

4. Where did you go treatment?

35
 The data in the previous table shows that a vast majority of the respondents

have seeked treatment for the infections, but the recovery depends upon the health

care. Hence a question on where did the respondents seek treatment was included and

the findings are as below.

No of Respondents %
Govt. Hospital 107 21
Private Hospital 296 59
RMP/PMP 45 9
Traditional 24 5
Not Applicable 28 6
Total 500 100

It is evident from the data given in the above table that the majority (59

percent) of the respondents have said that they went to private hospital, nearly one

fourth of them (21 percent) have said that they went to government hospital, nine

percent have said that they went to RMP/ PMP, a small percentage (5 percent) of

them followed traditional methods.

Since a majority of the respondents have gone to private hospital for

treatments, it shows the changes in preference of health care and importance of

recovery. Through Government hospitals are available the respondents have preferred

private hospitals and there is an indication about health awareness. Through there is

increased health awareness, still nine percent of the respondents have seeked treatment

from RMP / PMP and five percent of there are still following traditional methods.

5. For general good health, can you tell the major consideration to follow in life
6. Have you heard of STI?

36
 Since the study is on reproductive health it is important to know the health

awareness levels among the respondents. Hence a question on health awareness

related to STI s and the analysis is as follows.

37
 No of Respondents %

Yes 211 42

No 289 58

Total 500 100

A little more than half of the respondents (58 percent) have said that never

heard about STI, while almost another forty two percent have said that heard about

STI.

The findings show that more than half of the respondents are aware and another

use that half of them are not aware, which means awareness may or may not influence

the RCH and the findings in following tables will make it more clear.

7. If yes, what is your source of information?

Health awareness also depends upon the source of information and the finding related to

there are given in the following table.

No of Respondents %
PPTCT 156 74
ICTC 30 14
PHC 10 5
Other (Specify) 15 7
Total 211 100

The data in the above table reveals that nearly three fourth of the (74 percent)

have got the information from PPTCT, a less than one fourth of the respondents (14

percent) have received from ICTC, another seven percent have received from other

38
sources and a very less percent (5) have got the information from PHC. (It can be

understood from the above analysis.)

8. Did any govt. health worker inform you about STIs?

No of Respondents %
Yes 267 53

No 191 38
Not Applicable 42 9

Total 500 100

9. Have you ever had a Sexually Transmitted Disease?

The status of Reproductive Health depends upon STD as STDs will add upto the RH.

Hence the researcher included a question on STD and the findings are given in below table.

No of Respondents %
Yes 33 7
No 371 74
Not Applicable 96 19
Total 500 100

The data is the above table shows that almost one-third of the respondents have

told that they have not heard of STDs, while a less percentage of the respondents (7

percent) have said that they have heard about STD, while nearly one fourth of the

respondents (19 percent) say it is not applicable for them .

It can be concluded that when majority of the respondents are not aware about

STDs then there may a likely chance that their Reproductive Health may get affected

due to lack of awareness on the STDs.

10. If yes, what is your source of information?

39
 The awareness about STDs among the respondents depends upon the source of

information. Hence the researcher included a question about the source of information

regarding FPM and the results are given in the table below.

No of Respondents %
PPTCT 21 64
ICTC 7 21
PHC 5 15
Other (Specify) 0 0
Total 33 100

It is seen from the table above that a vast majority of the respondents 64

percent) of the respondents have agreed that they got the source of information

regarding FPM from PPTCT, nearly one fourth of the respondents (21 percent) have

agreed that they got the information from ICTC, a little less than one fourth of the

respondents 915 percent) have agreed that they got the information from PHC. (We

can conclude that Family Planning Counselling is also taken by PPTCTCs).

40
VI. HUMAN RIGHTS
1. Do you know which rights you have related to reproductive life?

Health is human rights also it is a right of each individual to take care of their

health and also reproductive health. The awareness about reproductive health as a

right will have positive impact on the Family Planning Method as duties follow right.

The researcher also collected information regarding reproductive rights and the results

are given below.

No of Respondents %
Yes 45 9
No 55 91
Total 500 100

The data is the above table reveals that a very large majority ( 91 percent) of

the respondents are not aware reproductive right, while a very less percent (9) of the

respondents are aware of the reproductive rights. When majority of the respondents

are not aware then the question of reproductive health care arises.

2. What is the source of information on human rights?

The data related to source of information with regards to human rights is given below.

No of Respondents Percentage

Educational establishment 86 18
Television 111 22
Radio 0 0
Printed media 156 31
Family 91 18
Spouse/partner 56 11

41
 Other(Specify) 0 0
Total 500 100

It is clear from the above table that a little less than half of the respondents

( 31 percent) of the respondents have said that they got the information from print

media, nearly one fourth of the respondents (22 percent) of them have told that

Television is the source of information, another (18 percent) of the respondents have

said that educational establishment in the source of information, while (11 percent) of

them have said that their spouse / partner in the source of information. It can be

conducted that print media is the major source of information followed by television.

3. Do you think that women and men are equal in rights?

Human rights are common for both the gender but they vary as per the

requirement of respondents health of both the gender. It is important to know if the

rights are equal for men and women.

No of Respondents %

Yes 434 87

No 25 5

Undecided 41 8

Total 500 100

It is clear from the table above that a large majority of the respondents (87

percent) of the respondents have said that men & women are equal in rights while (8

percent) of the respondents have said they do not know and (5 percent) have said that

men and women are not equal in rights.

42
4. Do you think a woman has a right to make autonomous choices about her
reproduction freely and without coercion?
It is the individual womens rights over their bodies and they should not be

covered to take any decision regarding FPM. The data related to whether a woman has

a right to make autonomous choice about reproduction in given below.

No of Respondents %

Yes 387 77

No 63 13

Undecided 50 10

Total 500 100

The data is the above table reveals that the vast majority of the respondents (77

percent) have agreed that a women has a right to make autonomous choice about her

reproduction feely and without concern, while less than one fourth (13 percent) of the

respondents have said that a women has no right and another (10 percent) of the

respondents were undecided.

When a vast majority of the respondents have agreed that women have a right

make choice about her reproduction, mean it is the rights the women empowerment.

5. Do you find it important to know about your rights?

Prevention is better than cure. Prevention depends on the levels of awareness. It

is necessary to know if the respondents felt it important to know about their rights and

the data pertaining to there is given below.

43
 No of
%
Respondents
Yes 184 37

No 168 33

Undecided 148 30

Total 500 100

It is evident from the data above that less than half of the respondents (37

percent) have said that it is important to know about their rights , while another (33

percent) of the respondents have said that it is not important to know about their right,

while another (30 percent) of the respondents were undecided.

6. If yes, where would you prefer to get that information/knowledge?

10. Do you agree that one should learn about human rights from school?

Human rights are followed since a person is born. The data was collected if

one should be learn about Human Rights from school and the findings are given

below.

No of Respondents %

Yes 273 53

No 10 2

Undecided 217 43

Total 500 100

The data in the table above reveals that more than half of the respondents

( percent) have agreed that one should learn about Human Rights from school, while

44
nearly half of the respondents (43 percent) were undecided and only 2 percent of them

have said that there is no need to learn about Human Rights from school.

8. Do you know that there is in force RA (Republic Act) Law on Reproductive

Health and Rights?
Health care to be effectively followed will also need legal care. Rights and law

are related, reproductive rights depend upon the (RA- Republic Act) law on

reproductive health and rights and the data regarding awareness on their law in given

below.

No of Respondents %
Yes 230 46
No 26 5
Undecided 244 49
Total 500 100

It is clear from the data given above table that a nearly half of the respondents

(49 percent) were undecided if they are aware of ( RA Law), while less than half of

the respondents ( 46 percent) have agreed that they are aware of the RA law and only

(5 percent) of the respondents said that they are not aware about RA law.

When nearly half of the respondents are aware of the RA law then there is a

higher chance of the reproductive health care which is studied presently.

9. If yes, how did you learn about it? Tick off in all appropriate boxes.
It is also need to know from the respondents about the source of learning about

RA law and the findings are given below.

No of Respondents Percentage
Educational establishment 36 16
Television 41 18
Radio 0 0

45
 Printed media 98 42
Family 32 14
Spouse/partner 23 10
Other(Specify) 0 0
Total 230 100

The data given in the above table reveals that a vast majority (42 percent) of

the respondents have said that they learnt from the print media, while a little less than

one fourth of the respondents have said that they learnt from Television, another (16

percent) have agreed that they learnt from educational establishment, while another

(14 percent) have learnt from family and another (10 percent) have learnt from spouse.

It can be concluded that print media is a majority source of learning followed

by TV, school and family respectively.

10. Have you ever heard about work related to reproductive health and rights by
any international organizations?
International organisations are also working in creates awareness about

reproductive health and rights and the data pertaining to awareness on involvement of

International Organisations is given below.

No of Respondents %
Yes 110 22
No 390 78
Total 500 100

It is evident from the data given above that more than three fourth of the

respondents (78 percent) have not heard about international organisational

involvement in Reproductive Health & Reproduction, while less than one fourth of the

respondents (22 percent) have said that they are aware.

46
11. If yes, source of information?
It is required to know the source of information regarding the awareness on

International Organizations involvement in Reproductive Health & Reproduction, and the

findings are given below.

No of Respondents %
NGOs 33 30
Government Hospital 66 60
PHC Centre 11 10
Other 0 0
Total 110 100

The data in the above table reveals that nearly three fourth of the respondents (

60 percent) have said that they came to know through government hospital about

International Organizations, while more than one fourth of them (30 percent) have

said that the source is NGOs and another (10 percent0 of the respondents have said

that the source of information in PHC.

It is understood and can be concluded that International Organizations work

through government partnership in health care and that is the reason majority of them

are aware through Government Hospital.

12. Your attitudes towards challenges in the reproductive health that women face
today:

Women do face lot of challenges in the reproductive health. Awareness on the

challenges faced by women with regard to Reproductive Health. Awareness itself will

result is gaining more knowledge and the findings with regard to attribute towards

challenges in Reproductive Health that women face today is given below.

47
 No of
%
Respondents
Dont know 35 7

Know but dont care 54 11

Care but dont know what to do 110 22

Know what to do but dont know how to do it 104 21

Know how to do it but dont have the support 114 23

Have support but lack a sense of urgency 83 16

Total 500 100

It can be understood from the table above that nearly one fourth of the

respondents said that they know about the challenges but dont have the support

another (22 percent) said they care but do not know what to do, another (21 percent)

have said that they know what to do but dont know how to do it, another (16 percent)

have said that they have support but lack a sense of urgency, another (11 percent) of

the respondents have said that they know but dont care and another (7 percent) have

said that they do not know about the challenges in the Reproductive Health that

women face today.

48