Intended postpartum contraceptive use among pregnant and puerperal women at a university teaching hospital
Date
2009
Authors
ADEGBOLA, O
Okunowo, A
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Abstract
Objective To assess the intention to use postpartum contraceptives
and factors inXuencing use.
Method A total of 423 consecutive consenting women
attending the pregnancy and puerperal clinics at a university
teaching hospital were interviewed using structured
questionnaire.
Results The prevalence of previous contraceptive use was
35.5%. Fifty-four percent of the respondents intended to
use contraceptives after delivery, though 3% were yet to
decide. Condoms (38.3%) followed by intrauterine contraceptive
device (IUCD) 11.5%, were the most preferred
choice of postpartum contraceptives. However, spermicide
(0.4%) was the least preferred. Advanced age and high
parity signiWcantly predicted intention to use postpartum
contraceptives (P = 0.02 and 0.01, respectively). Also
high level of respondent’s education and family planning
counseling by doctors and nurses increased the intention
to use postpartum contraceptives (P = 0.03 and 0.01,
respectively).
Conclusion Family planning counseling and education
play a vital role in increasing the use of contraceptives in
the postpartum period.
Description
Keywords
Family planning · Postpartum contraception · Pregnant women · Puerperal women