Awareness and Utilization of Reproductive Rights Among the Women of Reproductive Age in Kapan VDC, Nepal

Abstract

The awareness and utilization of reproductive right and health is not satisfactory in developing countries including Nepal. This study aimed to assess the awareness and utilization of reproductive rights among women of reproductive age having at least one child. Descriptive study was conducted among 101 married women of reproductive age having at least one child and residing in Kapan VDC, Ward No. 1, Kathmandu, during the year 2010 by using non-probability purposive sampling method and semistructured Nepali interview questionnaires through home visits. Of the total 101 respondents, most of them (26.5%) were of age group 35-39 years (mean age=33 years) from different ethnic groups and religions. Most were simply literate (38.6%). Of the total, 68.3% were aware of reproductive right with commonest response being family planning (30.4%). The percentages of aware respondents towards sex education, right marriage age, ideal pregnancy age, proper birth spacing and safe abortion were 59.4%, 83.2%, 98.0%, 99.0% and 66.3%, respectively. Furthermore, 38.6% got sex education (51.2% in proper age), 34.6% got married at the right age, 56.4% conceived at right age (29.7% on own will), 78.2% of them utilized any family planning methods of which 35.6% of respondents decided themselves for family planning and 77.2% maintained proper birth spacing. Moreover, 43.6% respondents did abortion due to no desire of child (36.4%) and 34.1% decided themselves for abortion. Furthermore, 65.3% respondents did ≥4 ANC visits, 52.5% delivered at health institution, 53.5% respondents did proper PNC visits with 70.3% respondents deciding themselves for PNC. The associations between awareness and utilization for Family Planning, ANC visit, PNC visit and abortion right were statistically significant (p<0.05) except for institutional delivery. Awareness and utilization of reproductive rights in the study population is higher with significant statistical associations. Similar studies in large scale are necessary for generalization of the results.

Key words: awareness, utilization, reproductive right, women, Nepal