Timely Initiation of Postpartum Contraceptive Utilization and Associated Factors among Women of Child Bearing Age in Aroressa District, Southern Ethiopia

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