Assessment of Readiness and Challenges of Planned Parenthood Among Conceived Couple Attending Antenatal Outpatient Department at Bankura Sammilani Medical College and Hospital, Bankura West Bengal

Objective: To assess the readiness and challenges of planned parenthood among conceived couple attending antenatal outpatient department at Bankura Sammilani Medical College and Hospital, Bankura West Bengal. Materials and method: The conceptual frame work based on health belief model, Probability systemic sampling technique was used to select the sample. A self developed valid and reliable structured interview schedule (r=7.6) was used to assess the readiness of planned parenthood and another structured interview schedule (r=7.2) was used to assess the challenges of planned parenthood among conceived couple. Results: The result revealed that among readiness of planned parenthood conceived couple was more ready in the area of stable marital relationship (mean%81) where as readiness was lower in area of financial readiness (mean% 64) and life style & behaviour modification (mean% 65). Among challenges of planned parenthood, life style changes (mean% 32),financial burden(mean% 15),balancing work and family(mean %12) was higher than any other factors of challenges of planned parenthood among conceived couples.A significant association was found between readiness of planned parenthood and duration of marriage [χ2=8.89,df(1)], geographical area [χ2=5.98,df(1)] monthly family income [χ2=8.46,df(1)], between challenges of planned parenthood and more age of pregnant women [χ2= 6.07,df(2)] more age of husband [χ2=6.66,df(2)], more number of child [χ2=11.8,df(2)] , high parity [χ2=13.24,df(2)],and longer duration of marriage [χ2= 9.54,df(2)]. A significant positive relationship was found between readiness of planned parenthood and challenges of planned parenthood [r=0.21 df(128)] Conclusion: The couple who had readiness of planned parenthood they also faced challenges in different area during planned parenthood. Based on these study findings the study can be implicated in the hospital setting and community setting by arranging couple awareness programme and planned parenthood classes weekly with involvement of nursing administrators in both facilities. Key words: Planned Parenthood, Readiness, Challenges, Conceived couple