Assess the Awareness of Chhaya, A non-hormonal Contraceptive pill among married women residing in Kannampalayalam, Coimbatore
Sabitha. S1, Sivamathi. R2
1M.Sc, (N), Professor, RVS College of Nursing, Coimbatore.
2M.Sc, (N), PhD, Professor, RVS College of Nursing, Coimbatore.
*Corresponding Author E-mail:
ABSTRACT:
"Chhaya" or Centchroman is a community-based health education effort that aims to improve the health literacy, well-being, and empowerment of women in underprivileged areas. Aims and objectives: To assess the knowledge regarding Chhaya contraceptive pills among married women in selected area of Coimbatore City and to associate findings with selected demographic variables. Materials and methods: 50 married women participated in this descriptive study. Data was gathered through the use of a checklist and a convenient sampling technique. Results: The study shows 28 (56%) had poor knowledge, 14 (28%) had average knowledge and 8 (16%) had good knowledge. Conclusions: Both the community and healthcare professionals need to raise awareness about the more modern forms of contraception, which are still not widely available
KEYWORDS: Knowledge, Chhaya Contraceptive Pills, Contraception, Married Women.
INTRODUCTION:
It is the first contraceptive used in the National Family Welfare Programme discovered and developed in India, and perhaps the first non-steroidal contraceptive in use in the world.1 It is used as a contraceptive pill and also prescribed in treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding; mastalgia and fibroadenoma due to its oestrogen antagonist effect.2 Contraceptive choices are influenced by a range of demographic, social, and economic factors. Low awareness in disadvantaged communities may result in reduced contraceptive use and poor reproductive outcomes. Access to health services and, therefore, contraceptive practices, are likely to be poor among disadvantaged communities, e.g., those living in slums. Community- specific data are therefore essential to plan and implement efficient and effective family planning services.5
NEED FOR THE STUDY:
The use of oral contraceptives is a cheap, safe, and efficient way to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. Although there are oral medications for both sexes, the majority of them are designed with the female reproductive system in mind; therefore, women must be properly informed. Couples' future lives are improved by oral contraceptive pills. Married women learn everything there is to know about Chhaya oral pills. It aids in their development of a promising future. Regarding oral contraceptive methods, there are a number of myths, misinformation, and inadequate knowledge and practice. Women were unaware of the significance of birth control, despite the World Health Organization's estimate that 100 million deliveries take place each year. Therefore, by evaluating married women's knowledge of Chhaya contraception, WHO was able to identify the knowledge gap and help improve reproductive health outcomes.1,3
OBJECTIVES:
1. Evaluate the level of knowledge about Chhaya contraception among married women.
2. Associate knowledge score with selected demographic variables.
HYPOTHESIS:
H0: No significant association between knowledge score and selected demographic variables.
H1: Significant association exists between knowledge score and selected demographic variables.
METHODOLOGY:
A research design is a plan for carrying out the study that optimizes control over variables that can compromise the reliability of the results. It gives the researcher a way to find solutions to the study question.
Married women were chosen as the target population for the descriptive study design in order to assess their knowledge about Chhaya contraception. Convenient sampling was adopted, and the sample size was 50.
Methodology Flowchart:
Fig.1: Schematic representation of descriptive study approach
Analysis and Interpretation of Data:
The analysis and interpretation of data gathered from 50 married women has been done using the checklist to evaluating the awareness of Chhaya contraception and among married women. The data has been analyzed and interpreted in the light of objectives and hypothesis of the study.
Organization of the Data for Analysis:
The analysis of the data from the study is presented under the following headings:
Section- A: Description of Knowledge Regarding Chhaya
Contraceptive Pills:
In Table 1 and Figure 2, represents 8 (16%) of the married women had good understanding of Chhaya contraception, 14 (28%) had average knowledge, and 28 (56%) had poor knowledge.
Table 1: Represents frequency and percentage distribution of knowledge regarding Chhaya contraception.
|
Level of knowledge |
Frequency |
Percentage |
|
Poor |
28 |
56 % |
|
Average |
14 |
28 % |
|
Good |
8 |
16% |
Figure 2: Bar diagram representing the frequency and percentage distribution of knowledge regarding Chhaya contraception.
Section- B: Association of Knowledge Score with Selected
Demographic Variable:
This section deals with the association of knowledge with the demographic variables and was computed with chi- square test.
Table 2: Chi-square test showing the association between the levels of knowledge with the demographic variables among married women (N=50).
|
S. No |
Demographic variables |
χ2 |
df |
Table value |
Inference |
|
1. |
Age |
3.85 |
4 |
5.99 |
Not significant |
|
2. |
Religion |
4.04 |
4 |
5.99 |
Not significant |
|
3. |
Education |
1.05 |
2 |
3.84 |
Not significant |
|
4. |
Occupation |
0.24 |
2 |
5.99 |
Not significant |
|
5. |
Income |
0 |
1 |
3.84 |
Not significant |
|
6. |
Previous knowledge |
11.52 |
2 |
5.99* |
Significant |
|
7. |
Residence |
1.27 |
2 |
5.99 |
Not significant |
|
8. |
Age at marriage |
0.78 |
4 |
5.99 |
Not significant |
|
9. |
Number of children |
12.75 |
4 |
3.84* |
Significant |
|
10. |
Sources of knowledge |
13.93 |
4 |
5.99* |
Significant |
P< 0.05* significant
The chi-square test was used to determine the association between knowledge and the demographic variables. The data in Table 2 showed a strong correlation between the knowledge score and specific demographics, such as previous knowledge, the number of children, and knowledge sources. At the 0.05 level of significance, the computed χ2 values for previous knowledge (χ2 = 11.52), prior knowledge (χ2 = 12.75), and knowledge sources (χ2 = 13.93) exceeded the table values. As a result, the research hypothesis is accepted and the null hypothesis is rejected.
DISCUSSION:
The study aimed to assess the awareness of Chhaya contraception among married women in Kannampalayalam, Coimbatore. The study's findings are discussed in terms of the stated objectives and hypotheses. The sample's demographic variables are consistent with 50 samples, and it is observed that 28 (56%) married women had a low knowledge score, 14 (28%) had an average knowledge score, and 8 (16%) had good knowledge of Chhaya contraception.
Radhika AG et al, in their study reported that a majority of women had inadequate knowledge and utilization of contraception. This implies the need to educate women of the reproductive age group for the efficient utilization of contraceptive services for the betterment of their reproductive health.5This study's findings was noteworthy in comparison to other research1,6. The other researchers' study produced comparable and contradictory results to the current study.3,4.
IMPLICATION:
The study's findings have substantial implications for the nursing profession, including nursing practice, education, research, and administration. In nursing practice, nurses and other members of the health team are responsible for providing health information to the general population. Community health nurses are the best people to improve awareness about Chhaya as a means of contraception.3,5 They can educate married women about the Chhaya oral pill and assist them in discovering the benefits and drawbacks. Community health providers can conduct health education sessions to help married women learn more about Chhaya oral tablets. Nurses should be knowledgeable, establish positive interpersonal relationships, and involve family members in all health education programs.6
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Based on the study findings, the following recommendations are stated:
· Conduct a comparison research to measure knowledge among urban and rural married women.6
· To validate and generalize the findings, conduct a comparable study with a larger sample size.
· A similar study might be conducted for a different sample, such as a postpartum mother.7
CONCLUSION:
Increases in Chhaya consumption rates necessitate intensive counseling sessions and staff to raise awareness.1,3 Addressing both partners is necessary to improve acceptance and lessen problems with stopping because of pressure from family. By addressing misinformation and encouraging informed decision making, public health nurse can help stabilize population growth and improve reproductive health outcomes.4,6
REFERENCES:
1. Doke, G., and Kamda, J. A study of centchroman users with special reference to its contraceptive benefit. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2019; 8(11): 4204-4207.
2. Radhika AG, Suneja A, Malik H, Gupta R. QI initiative to improve utilization of centchroman: a non-steroidal contraceptive. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2022; 11: 3068-73.
3. Agarwal, K., and Dewan, R. Chhaya: Unique Need-Oriented Birth Control Pills. Indian Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2020; 10(1).
4. Xess, S., Kujur, A., Kanwar, G., Claudius, E., and Toppo, S. M. Section: Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Int J Acad Med Pharm. 2024; 6(5): 268-272.
5. Smitha, M. V., Das, M., Patwal, K., Parichita, P., Seervi, V., and Sharma, C. Knowledge, attitude, and practices on contraceptives in married women of Odisha. Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences (MJNHS). 2021; 7(2): 1-7.
6. Jothilakshmi, K., and Padmavathi, P. Effectiveness of Self-Instructional Material (SIM) on Knowledge Regarding ABCL (Antara, Billings, Chhaya, Lactational Amenorrhea) Method of Contrac Eption Among Primi Gravida Mothers in a Selected PHC, Namakkal District. 2024
7. An update on New Family Planning methods for ASHA, Family Planning Division, MoHFW, Government of India. Pg no: 5
8. Ved P. Kamboj, Suprabhat Ray, Nitya An and, Centchroman. A safe reversible post coital contraceptive with curative and prophylactic activity in many disorders. Frontiers in Bioscience, Elite. 2018; 10: 1-14.
9. Chhabra, K., Batham, S. K., and Mishra, N. Assessment of Awareness Regarding Emergency Contraceptive Pills among Female Patients Attending an Indian Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital. Res. J. Med. Sci. 2024; 18: 261-265.
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Received on 14.07.2025 Revised on 29.07.2025 Accepted on 11.08.2025 Published on 18.08.2025 Available online from August 27, 2025 A and V Pub J. of Nursing and Medical Res. 2025;4(3):91-94. DOI: 10.52711/jnmr.2025.22 ©A and V Publications All right reserved
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