ABSTRACT
Background: Effective birth control is a key intervention in developing countries to achieve sustained development goals. The United Nations (UN) reported that in 2015 the percentage of married couples using any form of contraceptive was 64.0%, however the average in Africa was 33.0%.
Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess and determine factors associated with the low uptake of MFP methods
Methods: A population-based cross-sectional survey; quantitative and qualitative methods were applied. Villages and participants were randomly selected and ethical considerations were respected. Proportions and logistic regression were computed.
Results: Married or cohabitating women are the significant majority in our sample (72.7%). In total, 73.5% have used MFP (modern family planning) methods in the past, whilst 61.3% were currently using the MFP method. Among those who have used MFP methods, 47.1% experienced side effects and 12.4% discontinued MFP. Over time, 11.8% got pregnant despite using the MFP method. A proportion of 8.5% among respondents missed MFP sessions and 53.0% reported that they would use MFP methods despite the unwillingness of their husbands. Women between the age of 25-34 years were highly likely to use MFP method (71.0%) and married women (70.5%) were also highly likely to use MFP. Not cohabiting with a partner (aOR=4.4[95%CI:3.855-5.071] was positively associated with using MFP. A disproportionate amount of economic resources versus demographic growth was the reason why MFP was suggested. Ignorance, religion, unfaithfulness to marriage vow, side effects, poverty, and a lack of MFP for men were reported as main reasons for the low uptake of MFP.
Conclusion: Side effects and faith are barriers to MFP. Unfaithfulness can jeopardize MFP use. Sensitization to MFP use is needed.
Keywords: Family Planning; Contraception
