INTRODUCTIONNationally unplanned pregnancy rate is 21% of all pregnancies.1 In India 65% of women in the first year postpartum have an unmet need for family planning, out of which only 26% of woman are using any method of contraception. Hence, contraceptive counselling has become an integral part of antenatal and postpartum programme as pregnant and postpartum women are generally highly motivated towards controlling the fertility, either in spacing out there children or stopping their fertility altogether. Postpartum period is one of the sensitive time of woman's life when she is in contact with health care facility known as crisis oriented and when both mother and newborn need a special care. Postpartum contraceptive options are limited. Barrier contraceptives and progesterone only pills, both are user and compliance dependent methods and therefore have high failure rates. Traditionally, Cu T insertion was limited to interval period. But now, recent studies on postpartum contraceptive methods have suggested the use of Cu T in postpartum period which can provide long term and effective contraception with failure rate of <1%.Percentage of institutional deliveries in India is 41%.2 As the number of institutional deliveries is increasing, postpartum Cu T insertion can provide a unique opportunity to increase the contraceptive prevalence ABSTRACT Background: The use of Cu T in postpartum period can provide long term and effective contraception and this study compares PPIUCD versus interval IUCD. Methods: 300 women enrolled in the study were divided into two groups. Postpartum group-150; Postplacental or within 10 minutes/intracaesarean/within 48 hrs of delivery. Interval Group 150; after 6 weeks of delivery / postmenstrual. Cu T 380A was used in the study. Contraindication for PPIUCD were between 48 hrs and 6 wks postpartum, chorioaminionitis, PROM >18 hrs, unresolved PPH and puerperal sepsis. All were followed up for 6 months. Results:The continuation rate at 6 months was 81.81% in interval group and 88.23% in postpartum group. Complications occurred in 15.33% cases after PPIUCD and in 19.33% cases after interval IUCD. Expulsion rate was significantly higher in PPIUCD as compared to interval insertions (6.96% v/s 2.2%; p value <0.05). Removal rate of IUCD was almost similar in both the groups (4% in PPIUCD v/s 6.0% in interval). Conclusions: PPIUCD is an effective, safe, convenient, low cost and long term method of postpartum contraception irrespective of the mode of delivery.

Background: Aim of study was to compare effectiveness, adverse effects and patient’s acceptability of buccal and vaginal routes of administration of misoprostol in 1st and 2nd trimester abortion, type of study-randomized control trial Methods: A total of 200 women with indications for abortion up to 20 weeks of pregnancy were enrolled over a period of 1 year and received misoprostol either through buccal (Group A) or vaginal (Group B) route. Each group containing 50 patients of first trimester and second trimester. Results: Incomplete abortion rate (25%) was significantly higher in vaginal group while drug related side-effects (47%), patients’ satisfaction and acceptability (82%) was higher in buccal group respectively. Conclusions: Buccal route may be preferred owing to a better complete abortion rate, better patient satisfaction and acceptability as compared to vaginal route.

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STI) and reproductive tract infections (RTI) continue to be a major health, social and economic problem worldwide, especially in developing countries. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of STI and RTI among women of reproductive age (18-49 years) attending gynaecological consultations. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 1006 women of reproductive age attending a hospital was conducted over a period of 1 year. Out of these 116 women were not followed up, so they were excluded from the study. Thus, 890 women between the ages of 18 and 49 who were fertile completed the study, whether or not they had symptoms. Results: According to a laboratory test, the overall prevalence of STDs and STIs in women of childbearing age was 24.62% in symptomatic individuals and 12% in asymptomatic individuals. Vaginal discharge (61.91%) was the most common symptom Conclusions: To reduce the prevalence of STIs, RTI /STI screening for women in all reproductive age groups is essential. Early detection and treatment can reduce the severity of long-term sequelae and prevent complications.