Contraceptive Use and Its Associated Factors among Women of Reproductive Age in Opu-Nembe, Bayelsa State

Abstract

Contraception usage continues to be an important public health intervention that is hindered in the majority of low- and middle-income nations, including Nigeria, for a variety of reasons. This research aims at determining the contraceptive usage and related factors in Nembe, Bayelsa State. A descriptive survey design was employed to determine usage of contraception and its related factors among women of child bearing age in the local government area.Result showed that out of the total number of respondents (n = 398), 152(38.2%) have used modern contraceptive methods while 246(61.8%) have not. Among the respondents, only 76(19.1%) are currently using modern contraceptives while majority of the participants 322(80.9%) are currently not using any form of contraceptive. 42(10.6%) currently use male condom, 18(4.5%) use oral pills, 8(2.0%) use implants, 7(1.8%) use injectables, 1(0.3%) use IUD while 322(80.9%) use none. 50(12.6%) always use contraceptives, 8(2.0%) occasional use, 18(4.5%) rarely use while 322(80.9%) use none; 57(14.3%) used contraceptives to prevent pregnancy, 32(8.0%) use it to prevent sexually transmitted disease and pregnancy, 14(3.5%) to prevent sexually transmitted disease, 13(3.3%) to ensure child spacing while 282(70.9%) did not state any reason for not using. Binary logistic regression shows that the lower the knowledge of contraceptives, the less likely females of childbearing age will utilize modern contraceptives in Nembe, Bayelsa State and there was a statistically significant relationship between knowledge and usage of modern contraceptives (P = <0.001) at 95% Confidence Interval.The poor use of contraceptives is worrisome and there is therefore urgent need to design and significantly increase social and behavioral modification interventions and strengthen systems to encourage the usage of contraceptives for an improved maternal and child health outcomes amongst other benefits.