Pehal- An AID Delhi Initiative

The experience of imparting informal education, on various family planning methods available, to the local community at Pehal project site was phenomenal. It’s been a long time since we have had such an open session on this mostly hesitated n timid topic. People are also hesitant because of the medical and prohibited terminology. This is always the hot focus and an ever demanding issue for public health personnel.

Well, I m scribbling down about this area of focus to make the other non medico volunteers acquaint themselves with the terminology of family planning methods. This is the brief overview of the barrier control methods which are commonly known as FAMILY PLANNING METHODS.

The common methods are:

• Temporary: Male Condom, Oral Pill and CuT 380 A
• Permanent method: Vasectomy in males and tubal ligation in females.

1) Temporary:

a) Male condom: Easily available without prescription.
b) Oral Pill: Available to women with prescription (Mala D. Mala N, Saheli,etc.). These have some side effects.
c) CuT 380A: The females have always some or the other fear in her mind while inserting this device. Firstly, it irritates and secondly, it brings excessive vaginal bleeding. Regarding irritation and excessive bleeding, one can explain as it would take 2 to 3 days to come into normal life. It’s important to make them aware to check the left out thread to assure it is in place, which is probably the third most fear of the device being misplaced.The advantage of this device is that it is the long lasting; lasts for at least for 10 years and never needs to be replaced.

2) Permanent solutions are the best possible methods if the couple does not want any more children. They are available for both men and women. But male sterilization or vasectomy is easier than female operation or tubectomy. The male can start working normally after 48 hours of the operation. Nowadays, it is conducted through telescopic method, which requires only 2-3 stitches.

It is a black and white brief to give the basic picture of the most wanted topic.

Happy volunteering!!!