Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, May 19 : In J&K, knowledge of contraception is almost universal but some methods are still less known besides that the prevalence of contraception rate is highest in Kathua and lowest in Baramulla district.

As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the National Health and Family Survey (NHFS) data says that the contraception prevalence rate in Kathua is 75 percent while it is just 31 percent in Baramulla district

“Only 55 percent of currently married women know about the lactational amenorrhoea method (LAM) and 27 percent know about female condoms. Among all women, only 48 percent know about emergency contraception,” it said.

“The contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) among currently married women aged 15-49 is 60 percent, which is an increase from NFHS-4 (57%). The use of modern family planning methods (53%) has also increased from its level in NFHS-4 (46%),” it added.

In Jammu & Kashmir, the survey said, contraceptive use shows no difference in rural and urban areas. “Contraceptive prevalence does not vary much by levels of schooling (57-63%). Women with little or no schooling (27%) are much more likely to use female sterilization than women with higher levels of schooling (14%),” it said.

“Contraceptive use does not vary much by religion and caste group, except that use is relatively low among the women belonging to Muslim household and scheduled tribe,” it said.

It said that women are more likely to use contraception if they already have a son. For example, women with two children compared with women with two daughters and no sons, it said—(KNO)