CONTRACEPTION KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES AMONG FEMALES PRESENTED WITH CARDIAC DISEASES AT GULAB DEVI HOSPITAL LAHORE

Objective : To assess the knowledge and practices of contraception in females presented with cardiac disease. Methodology : This cross sectional study was conducted at obstetrics and gynaecology department, Gulab Devi Hospital, Lahore. A total of 246 consecutive female subjects referred to gynaecology and obstetrics ward by cardiology department were enrolled. Informed consent was taken and confidentiality was ensured. The cardiac disease of the respondent was noted and a detailed obstetric history, number of previous pregnancies, date of last child born and last menstrual period (LMP) was taken. Knowledge and practices of contraception was gathered through a structured questionnaire. Data were entered and analyzed by SPSS version 20.0. Categorical data were presented in the form of frequencies and percentages & presented through graphs while mean+SD was computed for quantitative data. Results : The mean age of the study participants was 28±6.7 years. Majority of the study participants (48.7%) were from to the age group of 20-30 years. Regarding parity, 60 (24.3%) women had 01 child, 68 (27.6%) had 2 children, 65(26.4%) had 3 children and 53(21.5%) had 4 or more children. Regarding knowledge of contraception 110 (44.7%) females had no knowledge, 80 (32.5%) had partial knowledge and 56 (22.7%) had full knowledge about contraception. Out of 246 females only 92 (37.39%) had ever practiced contraception. Barrier method (Condoms) was the most common method reported by females that ever practiced contraception followed by surgical tubal ligation and intrauterine device. Conclusion : Females with cardiac diseases should be treated by a group of experienced obstetrician, cardiologist, general physician and health care providers; each patient needs individual counselling regarding her family size to attain proper spacing between two children or as a continuous contraceptive method. If possible their cardiac disease should be treated before getting pregnant. Key Words : Contraception, Cardiac Diseases, Reproductive Health, Maternal Health