Contraceptive Choices and Use Among Postnatal Women in Selected Districts in Luapula Province, Zambia

Abstract

Effective contraception benefits both mothers and children by decreasing morbidity and mortality, improving the social and economic status of women, and improving the relationship of the mother with all her children. The main aim of the study was to determine contraceptive choices and use among postnatal women in Mwense, Mwansabobwe and Nchelenge districts of Luapula province. The study population comprised 92 randomly selected women attending family planning clinics. Findings revealed that 51% of the respondents were aged between 25 and 34 years, 75% were married, 63% were multiparas and had attained primary level of education (43%). Most respondents (79.3%) were not in formal employment, 52% had been using a family planning method for a period between one to three years and their main source of information on family planning were health care providers (71%). Two thirds (62%) of the respondents were using injectable contraceptive methods. When asked to state the contraceptive method they knew other than the one they were using, 75% mentioned injectable contraceptive and were aware of the benefits of family planning (87%). The respondents mentioned the following as side effects of family planning methods in general heavy bleeding (13%), irregular bleeding (25%), abdominal cramps (60%) and infertility (2%). With regards to the benefits of family planning, 87% knew the benefits of family planning and 83% of the family planning providers were nurses. 82% of the women reported that they received adequate information from the family planning provider on the contraceptives they were using and 92% were satisfied with the services rendered by health care providers, 74% of the respondents reason for the choice of contraceptives was safety of the contraceptive method and their main source of influence were their husbands (34%). Most women (79%) were willing to switch to other methods of contraceptives if the one they were using was not available and were willing to continue using family planning method (87%). To improve service delivery and client satisfaction among postnatal women, there is need for continued sensitization and provision of method specific information on family planning methods to the women to enable them to make informed contraceptive choices. Health facilities should be equipped with all family planning methods and logistics. There is also need to undertake further research to determine why injectable method of contraceptive is the most preferred among women in the current study.