Determinants of Modern Contraceptive Uptake among Women in Peri-Urban Communities of Port Harcourt City, Nigeria

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the determinants of contraceptive uptake among women of reproductive age in semi-urban communities of Rivers State, Nigeria. The information will be useful in reordering priorities and strategies for family planning interventions in the state.

Study Design: The study was a cross sectional, household-based study, employing a cluster sampling technique proportionate to size, to recruit eligible participants.

Study Location: The study was carried out in September 2013 in five contiguous communities located at the fringes of the Port Harcourt city.

Methodology: Anonymous questionnaires were administered to 772 women of reproductive age normally resident in these five communities. Visitors were excluded. The data was analysed using SPSS version 20 software package. The Chi-square test was performed to determine the association between contraceptive use and demographic and socioeconomic variables, while Logistic regression was used to identify determinants of contraceptive uptake. The level of statistical significance was set at p= .05.

Results: A total of 772 women aged (15-49) years participated in the study and 731 (94.7%) knew about modern contraceptives and their benefits. Young age (15-34 years old), (χ2= 12.7, df = 3, p= .01) and being single, (χ2=16.270, df=3, p < .01) were significantly associated with contraceptive usage. Younger women had six times higher odds of contraceptive usage than older women; [O.R (95% C. I) = 5.97 (1.56-22.90) and 5.96 (1.63 -21.71)], and women with contraceptive knowledge had 19% higher odds of usage than contraceptive naïve women [O.R (95% C. I) = 0.19 (0.09-0.40)].

Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of young age and knowledge about contraceptives in promoting its acceptance among women. We therefore advocate for an early introduction of curriculum-based family planning education in schools, local media campaigns and peer education to create more awareness about contraceptives.