Introduction In rural India contraceptive use remains uncommon among newly married couples. non-use in rural young couples contributes to higher fertility rates. Objectives To identify barriers of spacing contraceptive use among young married couples in rural Maharashtra. Methods In-depth interviews were conducted with husbands (N=30), wives (N=20), and village health providers (N=12); additionally, 3 focus groups were conducted with mothers of husbands (N= 42 focused on understanding contraceptive use and barriers. Interviews and focus groups ranged in length from 90–120 minutes. Detailed notes taken during interviews were analysed using a grounded theory approach and the data was analysed using atlas-ti software. Results Major barriers to spacing contraception are: pro-natal social norms, pregnancy expectations early in marriage, to produce multiple sons, limited access to modern spacing contraceptives, family resistance to adopt contraceptives, lack of husband’s involvement on family planning issues, myths, misconceptions, perceived side effects and negative attitudes toward specific contraceptives. Conclusion Findings highlight the intersection of norms against spacing contraception, traditional gender ideologies and lack of male involvement as major barriers to the use of contraception. Male oriented outreach programmes on family planning. Promoting gender equity should be made through health programme deliveries with special focus in rural areas.

Objectives The social positioning (i.e. social status and autonomy) of women in the household facilitates women’s access to and decision-making power related to family planning (FP). Women’s access to spending money, which may be an indicator of greater social positioning in the household, may also be greater among women who engage in income generating activities for their families, regardless of women’s status in the household. However, in both scenarios, access to money may independently afford greater opportunity to obtain family planning services among women. This study seeks to assess whether access to money is associated with FP outcomes independently of women’s social positioning in their households. Methods Using survey data from married couples in rural Maharashtra, India (n=855), crude and adjusted regression was used to assess women’s access to their own spending money in relation to past 3 month use of condoms and other forms of contraceptives (pills, injectables, intrauterine device). Results Access to money (59%) was associated with condom and other contraceptive use (AORs ranged: 1.5 – 1.8). These findings remained significant after adjusting for women’s FP decision-making power in the household and mobility to seek FP services. Conclusion While preliminary, findings suggest that access to money may increase women’s ability to obtain FP methods, even in contexts where social norms to support women’s power in FP decision-making may not be readily adopted.

Objective To assess whether intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with discordant reports of contraceptive use (whereby wives but not husbands report such use) among married couples in Maharashtra, India. Methods The present cross-sectional study in rural Maharashtra, India, analyzed survey data collected in 2012 among husbands and wives aged 18–30 years, fluent in Marathi, with no prior sterilization, and with no current pregnancy or plans to conceive. Crude and adjusted logistic regression models assessed husbands’ perpetration of IPV in relation to discordant reports of contraceptive use. Results Among 577 couples meeting the eligibility criteria, 207 (35.9%) women reported ever experiencing physical IPV from their husbands, and 183 (31.7%) reported ever experiencing sexual IPV from their husbands. In adjusted logistic regression models, discordant contraceptive use was significantly associated with wives’ experiences of physical IPV (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15–4.42) and sexual IPV (AOR 1.95, 95% CI 1.08–4.82). Conclusion Women who reported IPV from their husbands might be more likely to use contraceptives without informing their husbands, possibly to redress the reproductive control often exerted by abusive male partners.

Findings suggest the need for combined gender equity and economic promotion interventions to address high levels of debt and related IPV reported among married couples in rural India.

IntroductionTextbooks, in India are primary resource of learning in schools and the first books in the life of most of the children, which help them to understand various aspects related to life and living. However, it was found that although transportation being an inseparable part of each one’s life, there was not enough content and awareness about it.ObjectiveTo review the text books of grades I to VIII for road safety content and integrate age specific appropriate content on road safety, while maintaining the authenticity, flow and the curriculum intact. To submit the recommendations of the review to Maharashtra State Textbook Bureau to integrate road safety content to the existing curriculum.MethodologyTextbooks of all the subjects of Marathi medium from Grades I to VIII of Maharashtra State Textbook Bureau were reviewed by Safe Kids Foundation and Brihanmumbai Mahapalika Shikshak Sabha for road safety content, which included words, sentences, paragraphs, pictures, activities/exercises/worksheets and pages. The teachers reviewed the text books of all the subjects and found scope to include new content or to improve it, to make road safety part of the daily lessons in the curriculum.ConclusionIntegration of road safety content in the existing curriculum will create reinforcement daily through various subjects, it will help children understand through examples, exercises, awareness events and pictures the importance of safety and safety culture could be ingrained. The recommendations are noteworthy, these recommendations will encourage the students to explore, read up, experience, improve and act and behave safely on the roads. The findings are submitted to State Textbook Bureau for action.