Assessing the Determinants and Clues-to-Actions Influencing the Uptake of Modern Contraceptives Among Women of Reproductive Age 15-49 years in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

The contraceptive prevalence rate for any family planning method among currently married women in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is 23.9%; use of any modern method (20.3%) among currently married women, use of any traditional method (3.6%), not currently using any method (76.1%), and total fertility rate is 4.3 per woman (NDHS 2018). The study aimed at assessing the determinants and clues-to-action influencing the uptake of contraceptives among women of childbearing age (15-49) years. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted from February 20-March 15, 2019 in FCT, Abuja. A multi-stage sampling method was used to recruit 360 women, out of which 348 were successfully interviewed by trained interviewers yielding a response rate of 96.7%. SPSS version 20.0 was used for analysis. Findings revealed that 94.4% of women were aware of family planning services, 24.4% reported of ever used any family planning methods, 20.6% used any modern method, and 3.8% using any traditional method. Major reasons for discontinuation of modern contraceptives indicated were: became pregnant while using contraceptives (33.8%), desire to become pregnant (31.8%), delay in conception (30.9%), health concerns (24.3%), fear of having disable babies (22.1%) and side effects (13.8%). Applying Health Beliefs model the clues-to-action for uptake of contraceptives were: quality-of-care, women’s satisfaction of products, beliefs/attitude, side effects and health concerns. Review demand creation strategies to include community health - and religious leaders as change agents, invest more in education. pharmaceutical companies to review products side effects, aggressive marketing, harmonization of stakeholders’ effort to reduce duplication, and entrench central database.