Utilization of Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARC) and its determinants in multiparous women in a Tertiary Hospital

Abstract

Background: The world population of 7.8 billion with multiparous women are encumbered with unmet need for contraceptives. Long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) is one of the interventional tool in curtailing the myriads of complications associated with unwanted pregnancies and its sequalae. Objective: This study aimed to determine the pattern of long-acting contraceptive use and sociodemographic characteristics of the multiparous users of family planning services in a teaching hospital in Lagos. Methodology: A retrospective comparative cross-sectional study of 1296 parous women who had sought contraceptive services at the Family Planning Clinic of LASUTH between January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021 and 1,177 women opted for LARC during the period under review were identified from the clinic register. Their case notes were retrieved and data on clients’ socio-demographic characteristics, and uptake of Long acting reversible contraceptives was extracted using a standardized pro forma Data analysis was done using relevant descriptive and inferential statistics with level of statistical significance set at p <0.05. Results: A total of 1296 multiparous women opted to use a form of contraception in the study, within an age range of 18–52years and with mean age of 37.5± 7.1 years. Majority (92.6%) having parity of 2 or more with a greater proportion (67.3%) having at least a tertiary level of education. A large proportion of the women (45.3%) preferred IUCD which was closely followed by implant (45.2%) while the least used method was the IUS (0.2%). There is an association between uptake of LARC and number of years since last pregnancy, parity, desire for more children and previous use of LARC. Conclusion: Contraceptive is of a necessity in reducing poverty and empowering women to improve women's and their children's lives. Educating and implementing of policies that would meet the unmet need for contraceptives.