Abstract:
OBJECTIVES:The postpartum period is a critical period for addressing widespread unmet needs in family planning and for
reducing the risks of closely spaced pregnancies. However, contraception during the extended postpartum period has been underemphasized in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess postpartum modern contraceptive use among women in northern
Ethiopia and to identify factors associated with modern contraceptive use in the postpartum period.
METHODS:A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April, 2015. Data were entered using Epi
Info version 7 and then exported into Stata version 12 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were
fitted to identify the determinants of postpartum modern contraceptive use. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence
intervals (CIs) were calculated, and p-values <0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance.
RESULTS:Nearly half (48.0%) of women used modern contraceptives during the extended postpartum period. Postpartum
modern contraceptive use was significantly associated with secondary and tertiary education levels (aOR, 4.25; 95% CI, 1.29 to
14.00; aOR, 5.36 ; 95% CI, 1.14 to 25.45, respectively), family planning counseling during prenatal and postnatal care (aOR, 5.72
; 95% CI, 2.67, 12.28), having postnatal care (aOR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.15 to 4.87), resuming sexual activity (aOR, 9.53; 95% CI, 3.74
to 24.27), and menses returning after birth (aOR, 6.35; 95% CI, 3.14 to 13.39). In addition, experiencing problems with previous
contraceptive use was negatively associated with modern contraceptive use (aOR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.16 to 0.72).
CONCLUSIONS:Low rate of postpartum modern contraceptive use were found in the study area. Therefore, strengthening
family planning counseling during antenatal and postnatal care visits, improving utilization of postnatal care services and improving women’s educational status are crucial steps for to enhance modern contraceptive use among postpartum women.
