I Hate PSM

Eligible Couples and Couple Protection Rate

Eligible Couples

  • Definition: a currently married couple wherein the wife is in the reproductive age (i.e. 15 -49 yr. of age)
  • Appx. 150 – 180 eligible couples per 1000 population in India
  • These couples are in need of family planning services
  • The “eligible couple register” is maintained and updated by the ANM/ MPHW/ ASHA

Target Couples

  • Eligible couples who have 2 – 3 living children
  • These formed a priority group among the eligible couples
  • Now even couples with just one or newly married couples are also considered a priority for family planning services
  • Hence the term has now been replaced by ‘eligible couple’ only

Couple Protection Rate (CPR)

  • It is an indicator of the prevalence of contraceptive practice in the community
  • Definition: the percentage of eligible couples effectively protected against childbirth by one or the other approved methods of family planning
    • Sterilization
    • IUD
    • Condom
    • OCP’s
  • NRR = 1 can be achieved only if the CPR > 60%