Abstract
Reproductive health service is crucial for youth to reduce maternal and child mortality. However, many young women face unintended pregnancies and pregnancy-related complications due to insufficient knowledge of contraceptive methods and low contraceptive utilization. This study aims to assess the modern contraceptive prevalence rates among youth and identify factors influencing modern contraceptive utilization among youth. We used Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey (2015-2016) data. This study included 1,423 men and 3,677 women aged 15-24 years from all states and regions of Myanmar. We used multivariable binary logistic regression analysis and reported the results using adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). Data analysis was done by STATA software (version 15.1). Ever-married youth used mainly injectable contraception, followed by oral contraceptive pills. Never-married male youth mainly used oral contraceptive pills; however, almost all never-married female youth did not use contraception. The modern contraceptive prevalence rates were 14.9% among total youth, 10% among males, 16.8% among females, 1.5% among never-married males, 44.7% among ever-married males, and 54% among ever-married female youth. The knowledge on modern contraceptive methods favored the utilization. Sexually active youth utilized more contraception than sexually inactive youth. We also found geographical variation and low utilization among rural youth. The desire for more children was also a significant predictor of contraceptive utilization among married youth. The utilization of modern contraception was low among Myanmar youth. Reproductive health program needs to be emphasized on the youth population especially in the area with low utilization to have equitable access to quality reproductive health services. Moreover, the revitalization of Youth Information Corner and youth-friendly reproductive health education programs should be implemented to increase reproductive health knowledge and prevent unsafe sex, unintended pregnancies, and abortions which might help in reducing maternal and child mortality. We warranted conducting mixed method studies to explore the barriers and challenges of contraceptive utilization and male involvement in the choice of contraception among youth.
Highlights
Youth has been defined as the person between 15 and 24 years of age by the United Nations since 1981
We described the modern contraceptives prevalence rate with 95% error bars for total youth, ever-married youth, never-married youth, male youth, and female youth
We reported the results using adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals
Summary
Youth has been defined as the person between 15 and 24 years of age by the United Nations since 1981. It is the critical transitional period, from childhood dependence to adulthood independence, during which physical, psychological, social, and sexual changes occur [1]. Getting the proper knowledge of contraception before starting the first sexual activity is essential for youth to prevent wrong decision-making, sexually transmitted infections, and unwanted pregnancy. Knowledge and utilization of contraception among youth play an essential role in saving women’s lives by reducing unwanted and highrisk pregnancies, unsafe abortion, and maternal mortality and improving the survival rates of newborn children by lengthening the interval between pregnancies [4]
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