జర్నల్ ఆఫ్ ప్రెగ్నెన్సీ అండ్ చైల్డ్ హెల్త్

నైరూప్య

Factors Associated with Modern Contraceptive Service Utilization among Married Reproductive Age Women in Melo Koza Woreda, Southern Ethiopia

Andarge Tobe, Honelgn Nahusenay and Direslgne Misker

Background: High fertility is closely associated with maternal, infant and child mortality and morbidity. Resources, environment, economy, food security, etc of a nation may also suffer from high fertility. It is estimated that every year, about 25,000 mothers die and 400,000 more suffer long-term disabilities due to complications during pregnancy, delivery or postpartum period. On the other hand, low utilization of contraception is evident in most developing countries. Rapid population size increase and low contraceptive use is observed in the study area which is located in the Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia. The aim of this study is to identify determinants of modern contraceptive use among reproductive age married women in Melo Koza Woreda.

Methods: Community based un-matched case-control study was conducted from December 23 to 30, 2013 in Melo Koza Woreda. Seven Kebeles were randomly selected from 37 Kebeles in the Woreda and survey of reproductive age women to identify total no of users and non-users was carried out. Then the required cases and controls were selected by systematic random sampling method from each kebele according to population proportion to size (PPS). A total of three hundred and thirty three users (cases) and, two hundred and twenty seven non-users (controls) were interviewed. Data analysis was done using logistic regression.

Results: Being older age, being educational level of secondary and above, fewer possession of cattle, being aged 18 years and above at first marriage, absence of died children, having six or more children, desiring less than six children, considering modern contraceptive as unwanted pregnancy preventer, supported by their husband to use contraceptive and inter-spousal communication about family planning were significantly associated with increased modern contraceptive service utilization in this study.

Conclusion: As being determinants of MC use, attention should be given to activities which promote formal education and children mortality reduction. It is also better to enhance inter-spousal communication about all reproductive issues through IEC using health institutions especially health extension workers.