Contraceptive Use among Women of Reproductive Age in Jirapa District

Abstract

Background: Studies have indicated that the use of contraceptives within a woman‘s reproductive ages helps prevent unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and maternal deaths. In spite of these benefits, the use of contraceptives in Jirapa district is still low. Objectives: This study accessed knowledge on contraceptives, determined the prevalence of use of contraceptives and finally identified factors serving as enablers and barriers to the use of contraceptives in the Jirapa district of the upper west region of Ghana. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study which employed a purely quantitative method. Using a structured questionnaire, 350 women were interviewed. Data collected were entered and analysed with Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Frequencies and percentages of data were displayed using tables. Chi-square (bi-variate analysis) test was done to ascertain associations between the dependent and independent variables. Simple logistics regression was used to test the strength of associations between various variables and the outcome variable. Multiple logistic regressions were also used to control for confounders. Results: Knowledge on contraceptives was universal with almost every respondent being knowledgeable in at least one method. Although knowledge was universal (100%), prevalence was 57.4%. Reasons for use included birth spacing (39%), limiting birth (14%) and to prevent unwanted pregnancy (13%). Reasons for non-usage were: to get pregnant (20%), not being sexually active (41%), fear of side effects (22%), husbands disapproval (1%), financial problems (2%) and currently pregnant (21%). Conclusion: Low percent on the use of contraceptives despite the high knowledge indicates the need to improve awareness among the study population.