Browsing by Author "Jayaratna, I.L.K."

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    Knowledge on family planning and use of contraceptives among women working in Avissawella export processing zone
    (Sri Lanka Medical Association., 2019) Pathirana, V.P.S.D.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Jayaratna, I.L.K.
    INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: Women working in export processing zones (EPZs) are reported to have risky sexual behaviors leading to unwanted pregnancies.The purpose of this study was to describe the level of knowledge on family planning (FP) and prevalence of contraceptive use among reproductive-age women workers of Avissawella EPZ. METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to assess knowledge on FP and use of contraceptives among 515 unmarried and 515 married women selected by stratified random sampling from factories in Avissawella EPZ. Pretested, self-administered questionnaire was used. RESULTS: Forty two percent (CI37.7-46.3) of married and 7% (CI4.8-9.3) of unmarried women had "Satisfactory Overall Knowledge" on FP. Asignificantly higher knowledge was observed among married women (OR=8.3; CI=5.5-12.5),who were over 35 years (OR=2.2;CI=1.5-3.3), having passed GCE (0/L) examination (OR=1.7) and having a monthly income of more than Rs.30,000/- (OR=2.2). Contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) for married women for any method and any modem method were 47.8% (CI43.4% -52.2%) and 40.9% (CI 36.6%-45.2%) respectively. Oral contraceptive pill (11%), intrauterine device (8%) and injectable (6%) were the most commonly used methods by married women. Having "Satisfactory Overall Knowledge" on FP (OR= 1.6; Cl=1.7-3.9), age below 35 years (OR=2.2;CI=1.3-3.9) and having two or more children (OR=2.7;CI=1.6-4.5) were in dependently associated with higher CPR. CONCLUSION: Knowledge on FP and use of contraceptives were low among women of Avissawella EPZ.
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    Workplacebased intervention to improve knowledge on family planning and use of contraceptives among reproductive-age women workers of Avissawella export processing zone
    (Sri Lanka Medical Association., 2019) Pathirana, V.P.S.D.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Jayaratna, I.L.K.
    INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: Women working in export processing zones(EPZs) are reported to be involved in risky sexual behaviors leading to unwanted pregnancies which are associated with high maternal morbidity, mortality and many psychosocial issues. The purpose of this study was to develop and assess the effectiveness of a workplace-based intervention to improve knowledge on family planning (FP) and prevalence of contraceptive use among reproductive-age (15 to 49 years) women workers of Avissawella EPZ. METHODS: Quasi-experimental study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a workplace-based intervention to improve knowledge on FP and use of contraceptives. Two factories, each for the intervention and control groups were selected purposively. Samples of 100 married and l00 unmarried women were randomly selected from each factory; the total sample size was 800. The intervention that was developed following a baseline assessment included lectures, video presentations, distribution of leaflets, and the establishment of peer groups for the promotion of FP and provision of modem FP methods. Baseline and follow-up evaluations were done using pretested self-administered questionnaire. Chi-square test and Mann Whitney U test were used to assess statistical significance and P<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: At follow up, the overall percentage knowledge score (mean; SD) was higher (85.9; 7.1) among women in the intervention arm (IA) compared to women in the control arm (CA) (49.5; 18.4) (P<0.001)and the contraceptive prevalence rate of married women was higher( P<0.001) in IA (79%) than in CA (42.5%). CONCLUSION: This workplace-based intervention was effective in improving knowledge on FP and use of contraceptives.