Contraceptive trend following M.T.P

Contraceptive coverage among women who have undergone medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) is poor in Uttar Pradesh as compared to other parts of India, where the abortion rate is very high. This study involved all 946 cases of MTP admitted to S.N. Medical College and Hospital Agra during 1976-77 and 1980-81. Overall coverage by any method after MTP was shown to be 48.7% (slightly higher among urban women). Tubectomy and condom were the most widely accepted methods (both about 35%). Direct acceptors--those who accepted a method while still in the hospital after the abortion procedure--accounted for the largest number of acceptors. Only 3.3% were "indirect acceptors"--those who accepted after 3 months following the pregnancy termination. The largest acceptance of tubectomy was among women with 3 children. Those above or below parity 3 probably were using MTP as a substitute for contraception.