Determinants of Long Acting Reversible Contraception Method Use among Mothers in Extended Postpartum Period, Durame Town, Southern Ethiopia: A Cross Sectional Community Based Survey

Abstract

Background: After a live birth, there is much unsatisfied interest in, and unmet family planning need for contraception. Waiting at least for 24 months before attempting the next pregnancy was recommended to reduce the risk of adverse maternal, perinatal and infant outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess the determinants of long acting reversible contraception method use among mothers in extended postpartum period in Durame Town, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in Durame Town, Southern Ethiopia in December, 2014. Systematic random sampling technique was employed to recruit a total 460 study participants. Structured and pretested questioner was used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics was employed to characterize the study population using frequencies and proportions. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify all possible factors affecting utilization of LARC method. Multivariable logistic regression model was developed to control the confounding variables. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was computed in identifying the real factors associated with use of LARC methods. Results: In this study we found that the prevalence of LARC method use among mothers during their extended postpartum period was 36.7% (95%CI: 32.2, 41.0). The unmet family planning need of mothers in the extended postpartum period was 123 (27.9%). The odds of using LARC by literate mother were four fold higher than their counterpart illiterate mothers (AOR 4.09 95%CI: 1.68, 9.58, P value < 0.001). The odds of mother who had pervious experiences of using LARC were up to eight folds higher than mother never used LARC methods (AOR 7.84 95% CI: 3.78, 16.23, P value< 0.001). Mother who received counseling service on LARC methods during delivery was up to three times more likely to utilize the services than not counseled (AOR 3.29 95% CI: 1.53, 7.03, P value < 0.001). And odds of mothers who received counseling service on LARC during immediate postpartum period were up to five fold more likely to opt method than never got the counseling service (AOR 4.55 95 % CI: 1.94, 10.66, P value < 0.001). Conclusions: In the study area, about one third of mothers utilized LARC methods during their extended postpartum period. Another one third of mother had unmet need for family planning. Participant’s education, previous history of using LARC methods, receiving counseling services on LARC during delivery and immediate postpartum periods were found major determinant for LARC use. Educating women, providing counseling service on LARC methods during antenatal, delivery and postnatal were recommended.