Acceptance of Long Acting Contraceptive Methods and Associated Factors among Women in Mekelle City, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Long acting reversible contraceptives are family planning methods that prevent unwanted pregnancy for at least three years and when removed return of fertility is prompt. It includes the intrauterine device and contraceptive implants. Despite the effectiveness and reversibility of fertility, the acceptance and utilization of long acting reversible contraceptive were very low in many developing countries including Ethiopia. Even though the optimal use of long-acting reversible contraception is a good strategy for reducing unintended pregnancy, acceptability to long acting reversible contraceptive is fundamental to effective and continuous use. Objective: This study was aimed to assess the acceptance of long acting reversible contraceptive methods and factors associated with it among women of reproductive age. Methods: An institution based cross sectional study was conducted from February to march 2013. Among 348 family planning users and systematic sampling method was used to select the study participants. Interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Bivariate analysis was employed to determine predictors of acceptability of long acting contraceptives and variables which were found to be significant at P - values < 0.05 in bivariate analysis were taken to multivariate logistic regression to see the independent effects of the factors on the acceptability of long acting contraceptives. Result: The acceptability of long acting reversible contraceptive was 16.4%. The main reasons mentioned for not accepting long acting reversible contraceptive was developing side effects 128 (44.8%), and fear of infertility after use 117(40.9%). More than half 181 (52.9%) of the women had a non-supportive attitude towards long acting contraceptives. Mothers who had a supportive attitude towards long acting reversible contraceptive was the only independent predictors of acceptability of long acting contraceptive (AOR=2, 95% CI (1.084, 3.75). Conclusions: The acceptance of long acting reversible contraceptives was very low. Supportive attitude towards long acting contraceptives was the only factors that affect acceptance of long acting contraceptive.