Abstract:
Background: Globally, more than 90 percent of women during the first year of postpartum
period want to either delay or avoid future pregnancies. Although studies related with
utilization of modern contraceptive methods have been conducted in Ethiopia, less attention
has been given on time of initiating modern contraceptive utilization after delivery. Therefore,
this study tried to fill the gap by considering factor that was not addressed by previous studies
like women’s participation on forum of the pregnant mothers with other factors associated
with timely initiation of postpartum contraceptive utilization in the study area.
Objective: - To assess the magnitude and associated factors of timely initiation of postpartum
contraceptive utilization among women of child bearing age in Aroressa district, Southern
Ethiopia, 2017
Method: - The study was conducted in Aroressa district from March 15 to April 15, 2017. A
community based cross-sectional study design with interviewer administered structured
questionnaires were used. Multistage sampling technique was employed involving a total of
695 women of child bearing age who delivered a child in the past 12 months prior to the study
period. Data were cleaned, coded and entered into Epi data version 3.1, then exported to
statistical package for social science version 20 for analysis. Descriptive statistics, Bivariate
and Multivariate logistic regression analysis was done. P-value <0.05 was used to consider
significant variables.
Result: The magnitude of timely initiation of postpartum contraceptive utilization was found
to be 31.7% [95% CI (28, 36)]. Antenatal care [AOR=1.94, 95% CI (1.23, 3.01)], postnatal
care [AOR=1.90, 95%CI (1.23, 2.94)], participation on forum of the pregnant mothers
[AOR=1.63, 95% CI (1.09, 2.41)] and resumption of menses after delivery [AOR=2.6, 95%
CI (1.47, 3.81)] were predictors positively associated with timely initiation of postpartum
contraceptive utilization.
Conclusion: The magnitude of timely initiation of postpartum contraceptive utilization was
low. Strengthening integration of family planning information with antenatal and postnatal
care follow up and giving attention on forum of the pregnant mothers is recommended
