Contraceptive use and determinants among sexually active unmarried adolescents and young women (aged 15-24 years) in East Africa: insights from Demographic and Health Survey data.

Background: Low contraception usage among adolescents is a significant public health issue, leading to a rise in unintended pregnancies and adolescent childbearing in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite global efforts to improve access to contraception, sexually active adolescents and young women in East Africa are often overlooked, exposing them to substantial health risks. This study explored the factors influencing contraceptive use among unmarried and sexually active adolescents and young women in East African countries.

Methods: National representative data from the 2016 Demographic and Health Survey for eight East African countries were used in the analysis. Data processing and analysis were performed using STATA 17 software. A multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression was used to identify determinants of contraceptive use at p<0.05.

Results: A total of 7813 sexually active unmarried adolescents and young women were considered for the final analysis. Among these young women, 24.9% were using a contraceptive method. Age, place of residence, knowledge of contraceptive methods, employment status and educational attainment were identified as significant determining factors of contraceptive use among sexually active unmarried adolescents and young women (aged 15-24 y) in East Africa.

Conclusions: Contraceptive utilization among sexually active unmarried adolescents and young women was relatively low in East African countries. Addressing the existing inequalities in access to contraceptive services for rural adolescents and young women in East African countries is crucial. Prioritizing policies that implement comprehensive sexual education is essential to enhance their knowledge of contraceptives and empower them to make informed decisions.