BACKGROUND

Birth control measures are crucial for women's reproductive health and overall well-being. Effective contraception reduces the risk of unintended pregnancies, potentially improving quality of life. However, in India, utilization of birth control remains suboptimal due to various factors, including concerns about side effects and limited access to information. This study investigates the association between birth control measures and quality of life among married women in Punjab, India.

OBJECTIVES

The primary aim of the study was to assess the birth control measures and quality of life among married women. Furthermore, to find out the association of birth control measures with selected socio-demographic variables.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study enrolled 100 married women of reproductive age (18-45 years) attending antenatal and pediatric outpatient departments at a tertiary care hospital in Punjab. Data collection included socio-demographic characteristics, a clinical profile with birth control measures usage, and a structured five-point Likert scale to assess the quality of life of married women. The collected data was analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23 (Released 2015; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States), including both descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS

The study of 100 married women revealed a sample predominantly Sikh (59%), with 41% aged 34-40 years and 40% possessing secondary education. Most participants were homemakers (64%), while their spouses were largely employed (92%). A significant majority were mothers (90%), with two children being the most common family size (51.1%). Condoms were the most frequently used contraceptive method (67%), followed by tubectomy (13%), Copper T (Cu T) (12%), and oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) (8%). Overall, 66% reported excellent quality of life. Significant associations were found between contraceptive type and overall (p = 0.03), physical (p < 0.001), social (p < 0.001), and emotional (p < 0.001) well-being, with OCP users reporting higher scores. Furthermore, contraceptive choice was significantly associated with women's education, religion, socio-economic status, number of children, duration of contraceptive use, source of information, and gynecologist consultation (all p < 0.05). However, no significant association was observed between contraceptive method and sexual quality of life (p = 0.92) or satisfaction with the current method (p = 0.44).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates a complex interplay between socio-demographic factors, contraceptive choices, and quality of life among married women in Punjab. The findings highlight the importance of accessible and tailored family planning counseling and education to empower women in making informed decisions about contraception and improve their overall well-being. Further research is needed to explore the specific reasons behind contraceptive choices and their long-term impact on quality of life.