Study of knowledge, attitude and practice of copper T as a method of contraception among antenatal women

Background: Family planning is defined by WHO as a way of thinking and living that is adopted voluntarily, upon the basis of knowledge, attitudes and responsible decisions by individuals and couples, in order to promote the health and welfare of family groups and thus contribute effectively to the social development of a country. The main objective was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding family planning and the practice of contraceptives among the antenatal women.Methods: A hospital based, cross sectional study was conducted in obstetrics and gynaecology department of SGT medical college, hospital and research institute over a period of 6 months. Convenient sampling was used to identify and interview 500 pregnant women, using a semi structured questionnaire. Data was entered and analysed with SPSSv21.Results: In our study, 74.2% participants have the knowledge about Cu-T as a method of contraception and 39% participants considered it a safe and economical method of contraception, 16.2% participants used PPIUCD and 40.2% considered it as unsafe method. Uses of PPIUCD was significantly associated with increasing age, illiteracy and non-working participants. Around one third participants were having uncertain attitude towards use of PPIUCD.Conclusions: In our study we observed that uses of PPIUCD is still lower side and there is a need to be motivate the people for effective and appropriate use of contraceptives when required and arrest the trend towards unwanted pregnancy.

Nd:GGG Nanopowders by Microwave Gel Combustion Route and Sinterability Studies

Synthesis of Nd0.03Gd2.97Ga5O12 (Nd:GGG) nanopowder was carried out by microwave-assisted nitrate-citrate gel combustion technique. Various nitrate-to-citrate ratios from stoichiometric-to-fuel lean were explored. Gels were combusted by microwave heating and the combusted powders were calcined at 900 OC for 2 h. Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) of calcined nanopowders showed phase pure Nd:GGG formation, from stoichiometric-to-fuel lean nitrate-to-citrate ratio of 1 to 0.416. Particles in the size range of 150 nm - 200 nm were obtained for stoichiometric ratio. Highly uniform, spherical morphology, with size range 90 nm - 100 nm, were obtained in fuel lean ratio of 1 to 0.416. Sintering of these nanopowders at 1550 °C for 2 h in air resulted in retention of phase purity as observed by XRD. Grain growth of less than 2 μm, for fuel lean ratio of 1 to 0.416, indicated formation of highly sinterable Nd:GGG nanopowders.Defence Science Journal, Vol. 64, No. 5, September 2014, pp.490-494, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.64.540