Abstract:
Introduction: The spacing of children is a foremost public health issue worldwide due to
its consequence on maternal and neonatal health as well as development as a whole.
Childbirth within the first two years after delivery considered highly risky, this
notwithstanding, most women do not pay attention to family planning (FP) usage as the
record show a low patronage of family planning services by postpartum women leading to
pregnancies at shorter intervals than recommended.
Objective: The study established factors that influence the use of FP methods among
postpartum women accessing health care at 37 Military Hospital.
Method: A cross-sectional study that adopted a quantitative approach was employed in
the study. Coded structured questionnaire was used to collect the needed data. Consecutive
sampling method was used to select 418 participants for the study. Descriptive statistics
was done by computing means, median, frequencies and proportions. Bivariate and multi
variable analysis were done to establish associations and degree of associations between
the outcome variable (utilisation of Postpartum Family Planning). Statistical significance
was set at p<5%.
Results: Out of the 410 postpartum women interviewed in this study, 34.2% (140) utilised
postpartum family planning. In respect of attitude toward PPFP, mothers who indicated
pregnancy prevention as the reason would utilise PPFP had 85% increased odds of PPFP
utilization as compared to mothers who indicated spacing of their children as the reason
they would have to utilize PPFP (cOR = 1.85; 95% CI = 1.22 – 2.81; p = 0.004). The
following variables were found to be significantly associated with the utilization of FP
services among postpartum women: history of contraceptive use (p < 0.001); post-delivery
menses (p < 0.001); age of mothers’ most recent child (p = 0.026); resumption of post
University delivery sexual activities (p < 0.001); post-delivery FP discussion with partner (p<0.001);
and partner approval of contraceptive use (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The prevalence of Postpartum Family Planning utilization is low, and this is
influenced by factors at the individual, relationship and community level. There is therefore
the need for more awareness creation by health professionals at the 37 Military Hospital
and advocacy for the integration of the FP methods (that are paid for) into the National
Health Insurance Scheme to encourage use.
