Abstract:
Background: Women in different parts of the world are forced to recommence sexual
intercourse early during postpartum to maintain their intimacy and for fulfilling a partner抯
desire. Early resumption of postpartum sexual intercourse leads to sexual health problems and
unwanted pregnancy if not complemented with appropriate contraceptive cover. However, sexual
practice during early postpartum has received less attention both in clinical and research arena.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess early resumption of sexual intercourse and
associated factors among postpartum women attending public health institutions in Nekemte
town, Western Ethiopia, 2019.
Method: An institution based cross-sectional study was carried out among postpartum women
attending public health institutions in Nekemte town from March to April, 2019. A systematic
random sampling technique was used to select 528 study participants. Data was coded and
entered into Epi. Info 7.2.1 and exported to SPSS version 20.0. Bivariable and multivariable
logistic regressions were done.
Results: A total of 528 participants were involved in the study with response rate of 96.4 %.The
prevalence of early resumption of sexual intercourse was 20.2% with 95% CI (17.1,
23.6).Women with secondary education (AOR=0.22,95%CI:07-0.71), husband with elementary
(AOR=0.23,95% CI :0.06-.87), secondary education (AOR=0.25, 95% CI 0.07- 0.88), Para one
women (AOR=3.52, 95% CI:1.24,10.01), normal vaginal delivery (AOR=5.44, 95% CI:1.8416.12),
giving birth for male child (AOR=1.94, 95%CI :1.05,3.60), wants to have another child
(AOR=5.71, 95% CI:1.89,17.25) and pressure from the husband (AOR=9.89, 95% CI:
4.99,19.58), were significantly associated with early resumption of sexual intercourse.
Conclusion and recommendation: Despite early resumption of sexual intercourse among the
participants was low; about three-fifth of women who resumed early sexual intercourse did it
under contraceptive uncover and cited sexual problems. Therefore, an intervention that focuses
on strengthening the integration of postpartum sexual health education and service is
recommended.
Key words: Early resumption, Sexual intercourse, postpartum women, Ethiopia.
