Ranchi, April 30: In an attempt to make women aware of the natural family planning method, the state government conducted a survey and implemented standard days method.

The method is a simple, effective and natural that uses coloured cycle beads that women use to identify their fertile days.

Representatives of the Institute for Reproductive Health, Georgetown University, USAID, in association with the state health ministry, met here today to discuss the results of the method.

A study shows that about 87 per cent people in Ormanjhi and Kanke had neither used any contraceptive measures nor had taken any traditional steps to avoid unwanted pregnancy.

Study findings also suggest that the method would help women, who are not using any other family planning method and are at risk of an unplanned pregnancy.

The Institute for Reproductive Health identified two blocks in Jharkhand, where they carried out their studies between August 2004 and March 2007.

“Eighty-eight per cent of those had never used a family planning method before,” Priya Jha, the country representative of the health institute said.

“The whole fertility rate in Jharkhand is 3.3 children per woman, making it higher than that of the nation as a whole,” she said.

“Twenty-four per cent women, who wish to avoid pregnancy, don’t use a family planning method. Therefore, a birth spacing method such as this one could help making significant contributions to improving one’s health,” the country representative pointed out.