LUCKNOW, July 11 -- The adoption of temporary family planning methods has witnessed a steady rise in Lucknow over the past three years, with increasing numbers of couples opting for modern contraceptive services such as Interval Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD), Postpartum IUCD (PPIUCD) and Antara injectable contraceptives. On the eve of World Population Day (July 11), chief medical officer Dr NB Singh said that this year's theme is "Healthy Timing and Spacing Between Pregnancies for Well-being of Mother & Child and to Prevent Unintended Pregnancies". He stressed that maintaining a minimum three-year gap between pregnancies helps reduce the risk of anaemia, preterm birth, low birth weight and maternal and infant mortality, stated a press release. District Health Education and Information officer, Yogesh Raghuvanshi said Interval IUCD acceptance increased from 12,547 beneficiaries in 2023-24 to 15,036 in 2024-25 and 19,159 in 2025-26, while 5,023 women adopted the method during the first quarter of 2026-27. Acceptance of the quarterly Antara injectable contraceptive also rose from 10,197 in 2023-24 to 12,429 in 2024-25 and 13,805 in 2025-26. Another 3,019 women received the injection during April-June 2026. For PPIUCD, 16,198 women opted for the method in 2023-24, 18,461 in 2024-25, and 17,458 in 2025-26, while 4,165 women availed the service in the first quarter of the current financial year, it stated further. Health officials said the figures reflect growing public confidence in modern temporary family planning methods, with counselling and free services being provided through government health facilities and frontline workers....