Contraceptive Utilization and Perceived Spousal Involvement among Female Employees of Child-bearing Age in a Private University in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: This study assessed the utilization and perceived spousal involvement in contraceptive use among female employees of child-bearing age in a private university in Nigeria. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 270 women who were selected using a purposive sampling method. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to elicit data. Contraceptive utilization was assessed as ever or never utilized. Perception of male involvement was graded as good or poor using items on the questionnaire. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 22 and presented as tables. P< 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: Participants' mean age was 35.3± 5.9 years. Most 236 (87.4%) of them had tertiary education. Four-fifths- 219 (81.1%) had ever been counselled on family planning or utilized contraceptives 216 (80.0%). The majority 232 (85.9%) of the women had good perceived spousal involvement scores, while 38 (14.1%) of the women had poor perceived spousal involvement scores. There were statistically significant associations between receiving family planning counselling, spouse involvement in contraceptive choices, fear of side effects, and spousal refusal with the utilization of contraceptives and perception of spousal involvement (p<0.001 in all instances) Conclusion: Receiving family planning counselling and spousal support positively influenced the utilization of contraceptives and the perception of male involvement, while the fear of contraceptive side effects had negative effects on both outcomes. There is a need to improve male engagement and female counselling in contraceptive use. Health education should also focus on debunking exaggerations of contraceptive side effects.