

RANCHI: Population in Jharkhand has ballooned in a decade from 2.69 crore in 2001 to 3.29 crore in 2011 making it the 13th most populated state in the country. Lack of awareness on family planning and conservative mindset about modern birth control measures aggravate problem.

According to the 2011 census, Jharkhand's population has shot up 22.34 per cent between 2001 and 2011, which is more than the national average at 17.64 per cent for the same period. In terms of population growth rate, Jharkhand is among the top 10 states and Union Territories and seventh among 35 states. The state consists of 2.72 per cent of India's population.

Lack of family planning is the main reason behind such inflated population growth. As per the annual health survey (AHS) 2010-11, only 47.8 per cent people in Jharkhand opt for family planning out of which 44.1 per cent are from rural areas while 58.4% are from urban Jharkhand.

In districts like Dhanbad, Bokaro and East Singhbhum, awareness on family planning seem to be more with 61.9 per cent, 60.8 per cent and 59.3 per cent, respectively, people using birth control measures. Surprisingly, Ranchi ranks sixth with just 46.8 per cent of the population using birth control measures.

The most common birth control measure, according to the survey, is female sterilization with almost 29 per cent of the state's population following it. The second most popular way of family planning is the traditional method of periodic abstinence with almost 9.8 per cent following it.

"People come for advice on family planning but most of them want to know the natural method of birth control. People still fear any kind of surgery or taking pills as they think there are several side effects," said gynaecologist Preetibala Sahay.

Interestingly, the male sterilization or vasectomy, another method of family planning, is only 0.4% in rural areas and 0.6% in urban areas. "Many men do not opt for vasectomy as they think it will affect their manhood," added Sahay.

In many cases women want to use birth control measures but are stopped by their male partners. According to AHS, 60.7 per cent women do not want more than two children.

"I have two children and I do not want any more children but every time I talk about using modern birth control measures, my husband shouts at me claiming that it is neither comfortable nor good for health. He insists on traditional birth control measures," said Mamta Devi, a resident of Kadru.

Contraceptive pill is also a taboo, even in the urban pockets in Jharkhand.

Shalini Priya, a housewife said, "I wanted to take contraceptive pills but my husband and family members do not allow me to do so as they think that I might not be able to conceive again."

Praveen Chandra, director-in-chief, health, said the department is working towards spreading awareness about family planning.

"We are spreading awareness through wall-writings, pamphlets, flexes and also through inter-personal communication," he said, adding that counselling sessions are being organized for pregnant women.

"In January, we started new camps throughout the state. For this we provide incentives to encourage couples to go for permanent sterilization for Rs 1,100 for males and Rs 600 for women.

"There is also a programme where sahiyyas get an incentive for playing the role of family planning counsellors where they brief couples on gap between children

for which she gets Rs 500 per couple. If the couple counselled by a sahiyya opts for permanent sterlisation, she gets Rs 1,000. These are a few steps taken by us to control population growth," he added.

