Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to investigate quality of family planning counseling and related
factors during prenatal care in Jimma town health centers. This study was a mixed Research
design which composed of quantitative and qualitative approaches. The sample of the study
consists of 240 women for quantitative survey. On the other hand, 12 women and 8 midwiferies
were included in the qualitative part. To collect the quantitative data, survey questionnaire on
socio-demographic, reproductive, self-efficacy and quality of counseling was administered for
study participants via face to face interview. In-depth interview questions were used collect
quantitative data from selected women and providers. The data were edited, and entered into
and analyzed by SPSS version 25.0 for analysis. Descriptive statistics such as proportion, mean
and standard deviation were computed based on the nature of variables. Bivariate analysis i.e.
correlation was conducted. Multivariable logistic regression was done to identify factors
associated with quality of counseling provided. P-value of less than 0.05 was used to declare
statistical significance. In this study, more than half of women were not receiving enough
information during family planning counseling during prenatal period. The counseling was tilted
to only one or two options, the long term reversible contraceptives (IUCD and implant).
Workload, shortage of providers, women’s misconception and competing priorities issues like
complication during pregnancy were the challenges reported by providers. Compared to
uneducated mother, the odds of receiving quality among educated mothers (at least grade9th)
was 2.07 times higher [Adjusted OR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.05 – 4.06]. Similarly, among mother with
primary education status, the odds of reporting quality counseling were 1.80 times higher as
compared to the uneducated mother, though it is not statistically significant at p-value less than
0.05. Women who used modern contraceptives before the pregnancy were 3 times higher
[Adjusted OR =3.05, 95% CI 1.71 - 5.45] to receive quality counseling as compared to those
who did not use modern contraceptive. Furthermore, the odds of reporting quality counseling
received were 1.56 higher for antenatal care visit increase by one unity. In conclusion, the
quality of family planning counseling is not satisfactory and tilted to few options which are
against the standard. I recommend providers to take into account women’s perception and the
factors into consideration while providing prenatal care. Finally I recommend further study to
be conducted by including all type of facility and obtaining data via direct observation of the
counseling sessions.
