Profile of Contraceptive Clients in Katsina, Northern Nigeria

Abstract

375 women accepted contraceptives at a clinic in Katsina in the extreme north of Nigeria between January 1 1976 and December 31 1981. The present study concentrates only on IUD and pill acceptors. The population is mainly of Hausa/Fulani origin. There was an almost equal number of Hausas and non-Hausas (50.9). However there was a preponderance of Hausa women (62.6) among pill acceptors and of non-Hausa women among the IUD group. The mean age was 26.4 years among pill users. Among IUD acceptors it was 27.5 years; significantly higher than that of pill acceptors--25.6. There was no difference between the mean ages of Christians (26.6 years) and Muslims (26.2 years). About 75% had 5 or fewer living children; 29.9% having only 1 or 2. 139 (37.1%) had no formal education. The greater proportion of women who were engaged in professions outside the home chose IUDs. There were no differences in husbands occupations. 52% were Muslim the rest Christian. There was a significant difference between the religious affiliations of the 2 groups. The majority of IUD acceptors were Christian (65.4) whereas the majority of pill acceptors were Muslims. The majority (62.1%) were monogamously married; 37.3% were in polygamous unions; .6% were divorced or widowed. The mean interval between last delivery and request for contraception was 25.0 months. The most common side effects among IUD users were excessive bleeding (7.8%) lower abdominal pain (4.6%) backache (3.9%) irregular menses (2.6%) and intermenstrual spotting (0.9%). Frequent side effects of the pill were irregular menses (5.4%) vertigo/nausea (2.7%) excessive bleeding (0.9%) intermenstrual spotting (0.9%) and lower abdominal pain (0.9%). Reasons for discontinuation or change of method are given.