Attitude, Practice, and Factors Affecting Contraceptive Use among Women Attending Postnatal Care in a Tertiary Health Facility in Jos North LGA, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

The high population growth rate has been associated with the increased level of poverty, morbidity, mortality, and decreased life expectancy. Modern contraception is an important factor in controlling fertility through prevention of unintended and unwanted pregnancies. Contraception (birth control) prevents pregnancy by interfering with the normal process of ovulation, fertilization, and implantation. Contraceptive use is still very low in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where the levels of fertility and unmet need for family planning are high. The attitude of women toward contraception will usually affect the practice and utilization of contraceptives. The objective of this study is to assess the attitude, prevalence, and factors affecting contraceptive use among women attending Postnatal care in a tertiary health facility in Jos North L. G. A Plateau State, Nigeria. There was a descriptive cross-sectional study done between September to October 2019, with a sample size of 250 women. Respondents were determined using a multi-stage sampling method. Data collection was done using an interviewer-administered, pre-tested, structured questionnaire. The data was collected, entered, and analyzed using IBM Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Most women have a positive attitude 162 (64.8%) toward contraception while 88 (35.2%) had negative attitude toward contraception. Three quarters (75.2%) of women are willing to use contraception. The prevalence of contraceptive use among respondents was 35.6% while the prevalence of previous use of contraceptives among the respondents was 71.2%. Fifty (27.9%) used condom (barrier method), 40 (22.9%) used withdrawal method. Majority of the other respondents were spread across OCPs, injectables and implants. Major factors affecting the use of contraceptives were majorly attributed to informed choice with 60.1%, Partner’s decision (44.1%) and mild or no adverse reaction (12.8%). While major factors preventing use were lack of interest in 69.4%, partners’ decision in 14.9% and fear of side effects 12.5% of respondents. Respondents showed a wide acceptance of family planning services as majority of them see it as beneficial and are willing to go for another method after current pregnancy.