TIMELY INITIATION OF POSTPARTUM MODERN CONTRACEPTIVE UTILIZATION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG WOMEN OF CHILD BEARING AGE IN ARBA MINCH TOWN PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES, GAMO ZONE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Most the women average time to first postpartum ovulation is 45 days and can occur as early as 25 postpartum days (1). But, many women do not recognize that they are at risk of pregnancy during this period. Most postnatal women are exposed to pregnancy, by seven to nine months after delivery up till now have not obtained contraceptives (2). Objectives: - To assess the timely initiation of postpartum modern contraceptive utilization and associated factors among women of childbearing age in Arba Minch Town health facilities. The method:-An institutional-based cross-sectional study was employed using pretested interviewer-administered questions among 574 interviewees. The systematic random sampling method was done from April 15 to May 15, 2020. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done. P-value < 0.05 was used to consider as statically significant variables. Results: The magnitude of timely initiation of postpartum contraceptive utilization was found to be 260 (45.3%) 95% [CI: 40.1-49.0]. The educational level of respondents, (AOR=0.46; 95% [CI: 0.31-0.71], No of ANC visit [AOR=2.913,95% [CI:1.39-6.07], counseling of postpartum family planning after the last delivery (AOR=2.29,95% [CI:1.46-3.58], couple discussed (AOR=4.94,95%[CI:3.01-8.09], resumption of sexual intercourse (AOR=1.74, 95% [CI: 1.36-2.77] and return of menses (AOR=(6.6, 95% [CI:1.91-22.78) were significantly associated variables with timely initiation of postpartum contraceptive utilization. Conclusion: less than half of the study participants have timely initiated modern contraceptives in Arba Minch Town. Family planning programs should be established incorporated at antenatal and postnatal follow-up actively. Keywords: Timely initiation, modern contraceptive,