Factors Affecting Intention to Use Long Acting and Permanent Contraceptive Methods among Married Women of Reproductive Age Groups in Western Ethiopia: A Community Based Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Citation: Tekelab T, Sufa A, Wirtu D (2015) Factors Affecting Intention to Use Long Acting and Permanent Contraceptive Methods among Married Women of Reproductive Age Groups in Western Ethiopia: A Community Based Cross Sectional Study. Fam Med Med Sci Res 4: 158. Introduction Globally more than half of all pregnancies are unintended and large disparities exist in access to the most effective methods of contraception. Only about 1 in 4 women of reproductive age in Africa use a modern method of family planning, and this proportion is substantially lower in many countries of the region [1,2]. Today more than 200 million women and girls in developing countries who do not want to get pregnant lack access to contraceptives, information and services which, for many, will cost them their lives [1,3]. Sub-Saharan Africa as a whole has the world's highest maternal mortality ratio, contraceptive prevalence of only 25% [4]. The use of contraceptives methods can improve maternal mortality by reducing unintended and high-risk pregnancies and unsafe abortions. These services can also help improve newborn and child survival by lengthening inter-pregnancy intervals [5,6]. Long-acting and permanent methods (LAPM) include the intrauterine device (IUD), implant, male and female sterilization. The IUD and implant are reversible, and may also be referred to as long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). These methods are useful for couples wishing to space pregnancies. Male and female sterilization are permanent methods for couples who have completed childbearing [7,8]. Long-acting and permanent methods (LAPMs) of contraception offer an unused opportunity to meet the needs of a variety of people in different age groups. They offer individuals and couples advantages that other methods of family planning do not, and their provision gives women who want to space or limit their pregnancies more choices. Use of LAPMs can also improve the health and well-being of entire families [6-8]. LAPMs are the most effective methods for preventing unintended pregnancies. Most modern methods of family planning are highly effective when used correctly and consistently during every act of sexual intercourse. In typical use, when people occasionally forget to use a method or use it incorrectly, many contraceptive methods are not as effective. During one year of typical use, LAPMs are between three and 60 times more effective than most short-acting methods [8,9]. In Ethiopia majority of the married women practiced predominantly short acting contraceptive methods, whereas the proportion of women who were using LAPMs is only 4%. Some studies in Ethiopia showed that intention to use LAPMs ranges from 38% to 48% [10-12]. In previous studies husband approval, fear of side effect, educational attainment, occupation of participant were some of the factors affecting Abstract Background : Long-acting and permanent contraceptive methods are the most effective methods for preventing unintended pregnancies. In Ethiopia majority of married women practiced predominantly short acting contraceptive methods, whereas the proportion of women who were using long acting and permanent contraceptive methods were only 4%.