240298 Determinants of Contraceptive USE Among Sexually ACTIVE and Fecund Nigerian Women

Monday, October 31, 2011

Korede Adegoke, MBBS, MPH , Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, USF College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Tampa, FL
Background: Despite the high level of contraceptive knowledge in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, only 15% of all women use any form of contraception. The consequences include high Total Fertility Rate at 5.7 children per woman, high prevalence of unintended pregnancies, abortions, and maternal morbidity/mortality. Improving contraceptive use is crucial in promoting population health, and achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Methods: This study used weighted data from Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, 2008. It included 9,585 sexually active and fecund women aged 15-49 years. Univariate and bivariate analyses together with logistic regressions were performed to determine the predictors of current use of contraception, and to profile nonusers who do not intend to use contraceptives in the future (n=3398). Results: Women's age, educational level, wealth index, and number of living children are significant determinants of current contraceptive use in Nigeria. However, place of residence does not significantly determine contraceptive use. In this study, a woman's educational level is the strongest determinant of contraceptive use. The odds of using contraception among women with higher education are 7.0 times higher compared to those with no education (p<0.001). This study also shows that over half of nonusers of contraception do not intend to use in the future mainly because of oppositions to contraceptive use (41.7%). Conclusion: Family planning programs and policies targeted towards at-risk populations to improve the educational and socioeconomic status of women may be effective means of reducing opposition to use and increasing contraceptive use in Nigeria.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Identify and discuss the socio-demographic determinants of current use of any method of contraception among sexually active and fecund Nigerian women aged 15-49 years. Discuss reasons for nonuse of contraception in this exposed Nigerian population.

Keywords: International Family Planning, Maternal Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am Master of Public Health graduate and I conducted the analysis of the data used in this study.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.