COMPARISON OF FAMILY PLANNING COUNSELLING DURING ANTENATAL PERIOD PROVIDED AT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS OF LAHORE

Abstract

Objective: To assess and compare the family planning counseling being provided in the OPDs of two private and public tertiary care hospital of Lahore; and to formulate recommendations regarding improvement of family planning counseling during antenatal and post-natal period.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Sir Ganga Ram and Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore, from Dec 2014 to Jan 2015.

Material and Methods: It was a cross sectional descriptive study. The study was conducted in the Gynae OPD of two tertiary care hospitals, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore and Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore. 118 women were selected, 59 each from both public and private sector hospital. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was entered and analyzed through SPSS version 17 software.

Results: In the Public sector, 84.2% women did not receive any family planning counseling during their last antenatal services while 86.4% women did not receive family planning counseling services during last post-natal period. 94% women did not receive FP counseling during present pregnancy. While in private sector, 81.4% women did not receive any family planning counseling during their last antenatal services while 84.7% women did not receive family planning counseling services during last post-natal period. 88% women did not receive FP counseling during present pregnancy. 61% women did not use any contraceptive method.

Conclusion: The comparative analysis of family planning counselling services has emerged as a missed
opportunity in both public and private sector tertiary care level hospitals.