Factors Influencing the Utilisation of Family Planning Methods among Postpartum Women at the 37 Military Hospital of Ghana

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.