Knowledge of modern contraceptives and their use among rural women of childbearing age in Rivers State Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The use of modern contraceptive (MC) is a cost-effective public health measure for reducing maternal deaths due to unintended and high-risk pregnancies. In Nigeria, efforts have been made by government and nongovernmental organizations toward improving access to family planning services. The impact of this effort among rural women in Rivers State, Nigeria, however, is insufficiently documented hence the need for this study. Subjects and Methods: A total of 380 rural women of childbearing age in Rivers State, Nigeria, were recruited by a multistage random sampling method using a cross-sectional descriptive design. Respondents provided information on their socioeconomic background, sources of information and knowledge of MCs, contraceptive use, and the reasons for use or nonuse of contraceptives. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 15 and the level of statistical significance was set at P = 0.05. Results: Almost all (n = 378; 99.5%), the rural women had awareness of MCs, but only 238 (63.0%) had good knowledge of it. The most common known methods were the male condom (n = 255; 67.1%) and injectables (n = 190; 50.0%). Those in current use of any MC method were 140 (36.8%) while only 86 (22.6%) used it consistently. Male condom was the commonly used method. Conclusion: Although the awareness of MCs among rural women in Rivers State Nigeria is high, their uses are unacceptably low. Family planning education should be provided for community-based health-care givers; mass media efforts need to be intensified in local languages.