Abstract
Reproductive health is concerned with the people’s ability to have a satisfying and safe sex life ensuring their capability to
reproduce with a liberty of decision that if, when and how often they must do so. In Pakistan, culturally females are married in
young age; become mother and are at risk of health complications in agrarian and non-agrarian communities. There is less
utilization of reproductive health services throughout Pakistan that ultimately affect health status of people at very young age.
Most of the communities are not aware of reproductive health services, thus not availing these facilities. So, the present study
was designed to examine the females’ perceptions, attitude towards pregnancy and antenatal care (ANC) as well as their
empowerment to take decisions regarding safe pregnancy and practice of antenatal care services and to suggest some measures
for policy makers to improve the reproductive health state of young mothers in district Faisalabad. A sample of 600 young
married females of age 15-32 years were selected through multistage sampling technique. Rural and Civics areas of District
Faisalabad were universe of study. Uni-variate (frequency distribution and percentage) and Bivariate analysis (Chi square and
Gamma Statistics) was carried out. Most (44.0%) of the respondents were of age 26-30 years their husbands (57.8%) were
above 31 years old; mostly had primary and above level of education while their husbands’ (69.6%) had SSC or below level
of education. About two third (65.9%) of the respondents had up to Rs. 10,000 per month income, 49.2% possessed 6-10 family
members and 73.5% beard at least 2 and above live children and beard marriage duration more than 5 years (60.1%). Majority
received ANC (79.8%) from clinics/ Doctor (30.7%), LHV/LHW (23.2%) in their last pregnancy; made one visit (69.2%) per
month during pregnancy and each visit cost Rs. 251-1000 and more (72.7%); women need regular checkup (90.3%); it should
start from 3rd month (56.2%); decision for treatment should be made by women herself (40.8%); pure food for mothers (70.7%)
is needed as nature of care and causes of maternal death during pregnancy were heavy bleeding (29.0%) and miscarriage / due
to complication (22.6%). Bi-variate analysis showed highly significant relationships among number of pregnancies, cultural
hindrance vs. their reproductive health. Pregnancy and antenatal care has closely associated and had important place in
reproductive life of a female. Females should be empowered to decide their numbers of pregnancies, spacing and ANC services
to keep themselves healthy and productive.
