0.3% men, 21.3% women sterilised in Ludhiana district, reveals national survey

Tribune News Service

Nitin Jain

Ludhiana, August 1

Only 0.3 per cent men were sterilised against 21.3 per cent married women to prevent unwanted pregnancies in the district, a national survey has revealed.

The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), conducted by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, through the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai, has also indicated that of the total 70 per cent women using any method of contraceptive, 51 per cent women were opting modern contraceptive methods in Ludhiana district.

The current survey, fifth in the NFHS series, which provides information on population, health and nutrition for India and each state and Union Territory, with district-level estimates for many important indicators, a copy of which is with The Tribune, showed that 29 per cent women were using modern spacing method while 19.3 per cent female were still opting traditional methods to avoid pregnancy.

The study team had interviewed 1,718 currently married women in the age group of 15 to 49 years using any contraceptive method in the state’s biggest and largest district, in terms of area and population, during the survey period of 2019 to 2021.

While the modern spacing methods included pill, IUD/PPIUD, injectable, male/ female condom, emergency contraception, lactational amenorrhoea method (LAM), the traditional methods being opted by Ludhiana women comprised rhythm and withdrawal.

The state average of male and female sterilisation was recorded at 0.5 per cent and 22.8 per cent, respectively, which were both higher than Ludhiana’s figure.

Among other districts, Amritsar reported 0.8 per cent male and 26.1 per cent female sterilisation, Barnala 0.6 per cent male and 25.8 per cent female, Bathinda 0.8 per cent male and 17.5 per cent female, Faridkot 0.1 per cent male and 24.7 per cent female, Fatehgarh Sahib 1 per cent female and 16.3 per cent male, Fazilka 0.2 male and 28.6 per cent female, Ferozepur 0.3 per cent male and 31 per cent female, Gurdaspur 0.3 per cent male and 17 per cent female, Hoshiarpur 0.1 per cent male and 20.4 per cent female, Jalandhar 0.2 per cent male and 14.9 per cent female, Kapurthala 0.8 per cent male and 22.1 per cent female, Mansa 1 per cent male and 30.9 per cent female, Moga 0.6 per cent male and 25.6 per cent female, Muktsar 0.6 per cent male and 31.3 per cent female, Pathankot recorded no male sterilisation and 15.5 per cent female going for anti-pregnancy operation, Patiala 0.6 per cent male and 23.1 per cent female, Ropar 0.3 per cent male and 25.6 per cent female, Sangrur nil male and 23.3 per cent female, Nawanshahr 1.2 per cent male and 19.3 per cent female, and Tarn Taran reported 0.5 per cent men and 32.6 per cent women sterilised against unwanted pregnancy.

About The Author

Tribune News Service

The Tribune News Service brings you the latest news, analysis and insights from the region, India and around the world. Follow the Tribune News Service for a wide-ranging coverage of events as they unfold, with perspective and clarity.