Factors Affecting Intention to Use Long Acting and Permanent Contraceptive Methods among Married Women of Reproductive Age Groups in Western Ethiopia: A Community Based Cross Sectional Study

Background: Long-acting and permanent contraceptive methods are the most effective methods for preventing unintended pregnancies. In Ethiopia majority of married women practiced predominantly short acting contraceptive methods, whereas the proportion of women who were using long acting and permanent contraceptive methods were only 4%. Method: A community based cross- sectional study design was used . Multi stage sampling procedure was used to select 802 married women. Data collection was carried out from April 10 to April 25, 2014 using a pre- tested structured questionnaire. The data were entered into a computer using Epi-info 3.5.1 and then exported to SPSS for Windows version 20 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were done, odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated. Result: Intention to use long acting and permananet contraceptive methods was 18.2%. The majority of women intended to use implant (51.4%). The finding showed that a significant positive association between intention to use long acting and permanent contraceptive methods and women’s education (AOR=1.82, 95%CI = 1.09 – 3.04), women’s occupation (AOR = 2.56, 95% CI = 1.47-4.46), joint fertility related decision (AOR = 2.76, 95% CI: 1.40-5.42), and discussion with health care provider about long acting and permanent contraceptive methods (AOR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.40-3.09). Conclusion and Recommendation: In this study prevalence of intention to use LAPMs was (18.2%). Thus program manager and stakeholders should empower women through education, create awerness on LAMPs and adress misconceptions and fears of clients on LAPMs . Every woman who seeks family planning information or services should be counseled on LAMPs of contraceptives to enable informed choice.