Differentials in Modern Contraceptive Method Use by Food Security Status Among Married Women of Reproductive Age Group in Soddo Zuria Woreda, Snnp, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Family planning services are educational, comprehensive medical or social activities which enable individuals to determine freely the number and spacing and timing of their children. Reproductive health services can improve women’s and children’s nutrition, and better nutrition can improve reproductive health. In Ethiopia the connections between population and food security are extraordinarily complex and there were limited studies regarding the relation between food insecurity and modern contraceptive use. The objective of this study was to assess association between food insecurity and modern contraceptive use and other factors affecting its utilization. Methods: Community based cross sectional study with internal comparison was conducted using a multistage sampling technique from March 15 to 30, 2014 on currently married women of reproductive group residing in Soddo Zuria Woreda. Descriptive summary using frequencies, proportions, graphs and crosstabs were used for descriptive analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were also conducted to see the association between food security status and MCM use. Results: The study was included 651 currently married women of reproductive age group the prevalence of food insecurity in the area was 394(61.50%). Contraceptive prevalence in the study area is 38.60% (52.00% among food secured and 29.70% among food insecured households). About 90.80% of the respondents had knowledge about modern contraceptive. Women from food secure HHs were about 1.7 times more likely to use modern family planning [AOR: 1.73, (95% CI:1.05, 2.85)] and women who had discussion with their partner were about 3 times more likely to use modern contraceptive [AOR: 2.94, (1.84, 4.70)]. Women who had antenatal care follow up were about 5 times more likely to use modern contraceptive [AOR: 4.81, (95%CI: 3.03, 7.63)]. Mothers that were exposed to mass media were also about 5 times more likely to use modern contraceptive compared to those who had not [AOR: 5.43, (95%CI: 1.80, 16.41)]. Conclusion and recommendation: Modern contraceptive method utilization is higher in the area than the national and regional level. Food security status, antenatal care, institutional delivery, discussion with partner and exposure to media shows significant association with modern contraceptive use. Hence while planning and implementing of family planning program food security status should get due consideration and emphasis should also be given to antenatal care and institutional delivery.