Prevalence and Pattern of Modern Contraceptive Choices among Women of Reproductive Age 15-49 Years in a Community Health Facility: An Eight Year Retrospective Study

Aims: Utilization of modern contraception to prevent pregnancies is a unique health intervention as unplanned pregnancies expose women to additional health risks and lifetime risk of maternal mortality by increasing the number of lifetime pregnancies and deliveries. This study therefore aims at evaluating the prevalence and pattern of modern contraceptive choices among women of reproductive age and to identify the most commonly used modern contraceptives.

Study Design: Retrospective study carried out at family planning clinic of Community Health Centre, Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State, South-West Nigeria between January 2013 to December 2020.

Methodology: The clients who had attended family planning clinic for modern contraceptive services during the period of eight (8) years were identified from clinic register. Their case files were retrieved and relevant data extracted with the use of standardized pro forma. Two hundred and twenty-two (222) case notes were available and suitable for analysis. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics of chi square and ANOVA.

Results: The result revealed highest prevalence of modern contraceptive utilization among young women with slight increase in rate of utilization as the age increases and decreases with older age. The most commonly utilized methods of contraception were Injectables: Noristerat and Depo-Provera; and IUCD. Result further showed significant relationship between age, number of children alive, breastfeeding status and desire to have more children and choice of modern contraceptive (P- value < 0.000).

Conclusion: Utilization of modern contraceptives can be improved through adequate public health education, thus, this study recommended that health education should be intensified at antenatal clinic, infant welfare clinic, religious places, market places and any place of public gathering.