Determinants of contraceptive use among Nigerian couples: evidence from the 2013 Demographic and Health Survey

Sarah R Blackstone,Juliet Iwelunmor

doi:10.1186/s40834-017-0037-6

Abstract

BackgroundNigeria remains a focus for increasing contraceptive use, as it is one of the most populous countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of the current study was to investigate determinants of contraceptive use in Nigeria couples.MethodsUsing the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, we estimated the likelihood of contraceptive use based on concordance with male partner desire for family size, male and female fertility preferences, female decision making power, and male partner attitudes toward contraceptive use.ResultsMale partner perception that decisions regarding health should be made jointly or primarily by women was positively associated with use. Women were less likely to use contraceptives in couples in which male partners had greater earning power. Finally, men who viewed contraceptives as an enabler for promiscuity had female partners less likely to use contraceptives.ConclusionsThese findings highlight the importance of male partners in women’s contraceptive decision making.

Highlights

Nigeria remains a focus for increasing contraceptive use, as it is one of the most populous countries in Sub-Saharan Africa
Descriptive statistics 14.5% of couples (1259) reported using any method of contraception. 4.63% of women used a folkloric/traditional method and 9.9% of women used a modern method. 22% of men agreed that contraception is a woman’s business that should not concern men, and 43.5% of men agreed that women who use contraception become promiscuous
The findings support that the influence of men on contraceptive use indicates the need to include men in family planning indicatives [35]

Summary

Introduction

Nigeria remains a focus for increasing contraceptive use, as it is one of the most populous countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Many programs throughout the area have received funding in an attempt to address the high levels of unmet needs in family planning Despite these programs, uptake of contraceptives in Africa has remained relatively slow [3]. Abortions in Sub-Saharan African are often performed under unsafe and secretive conditions, with approximately 25% resulting in serious complications which account for 20–40% of maternal death [6, 7]. Planning methods such as contraceptives can protect women from unintended pregnancies, reducing the number of unsafe pregnancies and abortions that make result. If high risk pregnancies were eliminated from Sub-Saharan Africa, maternal mortality rates could fall by 25% [4]

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Conclusion