Factors influencing modern contraceptive method preference among women of reproductive age in central zone of Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Contraceptive method choice is a fundamental indicator of quality of care in a family planning program. One third of developing countries including Ethiopia have a much skewed method mix, which is risky for discontinuation, contraceptive dissatisfaction and unintended pregnancy. In Ethiopia the prevalence of contraceptive use is not only low but also highly skewed having a single contraceptive (injectable). Therefore the aim the study was to assess factors that influence modern contraceptive method preference among women of reproductive age in central zone of Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia.

Methods: A facility based descriptive cross sectional study was carried out among 602 rural and urban reproductive age women. The data was entered using EPI info 3.5.4 version and exported to SPSS 16.0 version for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to see any association between different variables.

Results: Nearly three fourth (72.3%) of women prefer Injectable contraceptive. Only twenty percent of the total participants prefer Long Acting and Permanent Method (LAPM). Having more than two living children, discussion with husband, and attitude of women were significantly associated with their contraceptive preference.

Conclusions: The contraceptive method mix is highly skewed to single Short Acting Contraceptive (SAC) and preference to LAPM is low. For successful family planning program strong information, education and communication focusing on long term contraceptive methods should be done.