Explicative factors of the low uptake of modern contraceptives practice among women of childbearing age in Kumbo West Health District, North West Region, Cameroon

Abstract

Introduction: Contraception is a main pillar for reducing maternal mortality. Modern contraceptive (MC) prevalence is low in Cameroon. Objective: To analyze the explicative factors of low uptake of modern contraceptives. Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional analytic study in Kumbo West health district, in the North West Region, after the Catholic University Ethical Committee approval. A total of 250 women were interviewed on their use of MC, their socio-demographic and reproductive health characteristics. Ever users and never users of MCs were compared. Data analysis was performed using EPI-info.7.2 Odds ratio, with its 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to appreciate associations between different variables and no use of MC. The level of significance was set up at p<0.05. Results: Among the overall 250 participants, 99 had ever use MC (39.6%) and 44 women were currently under MC (17.6%). Never use of MC was associated with low level of education (68.5% vs. 31.5 %; AOR=3.64; 95% CI: 2.74-4.82; p=0.0001); living far from the health facility (84.0% vs. 16.0%; AOR: 3.32; 95%CI: 2.23-4.95; p=0.0001); lack of counseling on MC (93.6% vs. 5%; AOR: 2.71; 95%CI: 1.97-3.75); p=0.0001); lack of couple discussion on MC (83.7% vs.16.3%; AOR: 3.07 (2.22-4.25); p=0.0001); decision for MC use belonging to the partner (71.2% vs. 28.8%; AOR: 1.31 (1.9-1.45); p=0.0001); and low monthly income less than 36 000 CFA was associated to non-use of MCs (64.9% vs. 35.1%; AOR: 2.56; 95%CI: 1.81-3.62, p=0.0001). Conclusion: MC Uptake is low in Kumbo and most explicative factors are modifiable. Program managers must use them for developing strategies if they are expecting to increase the MC use.