DETERMINANTS OF CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CARE AT FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL ABAKALIKI, NIGERIA

Background: Contraception is of immense relevance in reproductive health. It is also one of the effective strategies towards improving maternal health. This study was designed to determine the awareness and use of contraceptives among women attending antenatal care at Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Nigeria. Method: A descriptive cross sectional study design was used. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select 415 women receiving antenatal care at the facility. Information was obtained using a pre-tested, interviewer- administered questionnaire. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences statistical software version 22 and level of statistical significance was determined by a p-value 0.05. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 29.3±4.5 years. Majority of respondents, (288) 69.4% had attained tertiary education. Majority, (350)84.3% were aware of contraception and the male condom,(292)70.4% and the pill, (244) 58.8% were the most known methods. Source of information on contraception were mostly from television, (201)48.4% and health workers, (186)44.8%. Use of contraceptives was low among the respondents, (99)23.9% and the male condom, (52) 52.5% and natural method, (28)28.3% were the common methods used. Contraceptives were obtained mainly from pharmacy shops/patent medicine vendors, (50)50.5% and public health facilities, (21) 21.2%. Majority of those who used contraceptives had the support of their husbands, (94) 94.9% and majority also (83)83.8% were satisfied with the methods used. Predictors of contraceptive use among the respondents included being unmarried, (AOR=3.6; 95% CI: 1.3- 10.5), Nullipara, (AOR=0.09; 95% CI: 0.02-0.3) and having 1-4 children, (AOR=0.1; 95% CI: 0.05-0.4). Conclusion: Awareness of contraception was high, however utilization was low among the respondents in the study area. There may be the need for increased public enlightenment on the use of contraceptives. Health workers will have a role to play through counselling of clients. Changing the preference of the people for large family sizes may increase the use of contraceptives in Nigeria and there should be greater emphasis on female education.