Journalism of Courage
Slum areas z Of 1.17 lakh couples,89,327 use contraception
Condoms continue to be the most favoured means of contraception by a majority of couples in the slum areas of Pune and oral pills are yet another popular method of family planning,stated a survey conducted by the Pune Municipal Corporations (PMC) city family welfare bureau.
The survey says there is an increasing awareness about family planning and out of 1.17 lakh eligible couples,as many as 89,327 use contraception.
Dr Anjali Sabne,head of the Pune city family welfare bureau,said the eligible couple survey was conducted from on April 10 and 11 at 564 slums in 118 wards. The survey covered a population of 7,59,509 people in the slums. There were a total of 14,283 people who lived below the poverty line.
The main aim of the eligible couple survey was to find out about the use of contraception and family planning methods,Sabne says,adding that interventions can be planned as per requirement. Under the Reproductive and Child Health programme of the state government,new interventions and measures have been planned. Services like immunisation for children,targeted programmes for adolescents and care for 40 plus group and senior citizens will be easier to provide after the baseline survey is ready.
While 7,390 couples used condoms,a total of 3,796 women used oral pills and 2,565 had Copper T as an alternative form of contraception. Last years eligible couple survey showed there were 35,700 who did not use any form of contraception,Sabne said. This kind of survey helps us identify the target group where we can reach out and provide services. The population surveyed is mainly of the low income group – slums and migrant population. Out of the 6.95 lakh people surveyed in the city last year,1.11 lakh were identified as eligible couples,Sabne said.
The survey also showed that a total of 239 men underwent vasectomies while 73,835 women got sterilised as part of family planning programme.
Enlarging the scope of the survey has entailed more staff and while 160 nurses from PMC-run hospitals have been trained,six new family welfare centres will be started at Hingne,Erandwane,Kelewadi,Galande Patil and Maharashinagar. The present health posts at KEM Hospital,A P Nanal Hospital,Anand Medical Foundation,N M Wadia Hospital have been shut down,she added.
