Abstract
Reproductive health programs for youth have largely overlooked first-time parents (FTPs)-defined as young women younger than 25 years old who are pregnant or already have 1 child, and their partners. To address this gap, we implemented and evaluated a program to improve child spacing, modern contraceptive use, and related gender outcomes among FTPs in Cross River State (CRS), Nigeria. This paper examines the effectiveness of FTP interventions in improving voluntary uptake of contraception. We conducted small group sessions and home visits with FTPs from May to August 2018 in 2 local government areas of CRS. A pretest-posttest study examined the effectiveness of these interventions regarding healthy timing and spacing of pregnancy/family planning knowledge, attitudes, intentions, communication, decision making, and contraceptive use. We performed a bivariate analysis and logistic binomial regression to confirm change over time in the primary study outcome, current use of a modern method of contraception. We also performed analysis of demographic characteristics and secondary outcomes (e.g., birth spacing intentions and couple communication). We interviewed 338 participating first-time mothers (FTMs) and 224 participating partners at baseline and endline. Important indicators of contraceptive awareness, attitudes, and couples' communication increased significantly from baseline to endline. Voluntary current modern contraceptive use increased from 26% to 79% among nonpregnant FTMs (P<.000), and from 44% to 81% among partners (P<.000). After controlling for significant factors related to family planning use, FTMs were 3.3 times more likely (P<.001) and partners 3.7 times more likely (P<.000) to be using a modern contraceptive method at endline. Program participation was associated with significant improvements in voluntary uptake of modern contraceptive methods and multiple secondary outcomes. Even within a short timeframe, this intensive, multi-intervention effort achieved significant advancements across healthy timing and spacing of pregnancy and family planning outcomes for this vulnerable youth population.
Highlights
Longer birth intervals, facilitated by modern contraceptive use, are associated with reductions in maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity in low- and middle-income countries.[1,2] Adolescent mothers aroundModern Contraceptive Uptake Among First-Time Parents in Cross River State www.ghspjournal.orgFirst-time parents have largely been overlooked in reproductive health programs for youth.the world disproportionately experience pregnancyrelated death and disease when they start childbearing early and have rapid repeat pregnancies
While some recruitment inclusion criteria were set for First-Time Mother (FTM) peer group members and their male partners, activities were otherwise open to FTMs and male partners who wanted to participate
The graph reveals that use of implants and injectables increased significantly from baseline to endline for nonpregnant FTMs, with implants being the most commonly used method among all respondents
Summary
Longer birth intervals, facilitated by modern contraceptive use, are associated with reductions in maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity in low- and middle-income countries.[1,2] Adolescent mothers aroundModern Contraceptive Uptake Among First-Time Parents in Cross River State www.ghspjournal.orgFirst-time parents have largely been overlooked in reproductive health programs for youth.the world disproportionately experience pregnancyrelated death and disease when they start childbearing early and have rapid repeat pregnancies. Global studies show that adolescents aged 15–19 years have less access to voluntary modern contraception, use modern contraceptives less frequently, and have a higher unmet need for modern contraception than older women.[3,4,5] These factors place adolescent and young mothers at risk of negative health outcomes[6] and highlight the particular vulnerabilities that young women and mothers face, including those going through pregnancy, childbirth, and childrearing for the first time This global pattern is reflected in Cross River State (CRS), Nigeria. Reproductive health programs for youth have largely overlooked first-time parents (FTPs)—defined as young women younger than 25 years old who are pregnant or already have 1 child, and their partners To address this gap, we implemented and evaluated a program to improve child spacing, modern contraceptive use, and related gender outcomes among FTPs in Cross River State (CRS), Nigeria. Even within a short timeframe, this intensive, multi-intervention effort achieved significant advancements across healthy timing and spacing of pregnancy and family planning outcomes for this vulnerable youth population
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
