Contraceptive utilization and associated factors among reproductive age women attending psychiatric outpatient services, at northwest Amhara regional referral hospitals, Ethiopia

Introduction

Family planning is essential for all reproductive age women, and it is particularly Important for women with mental illness. Women with mental illness have a special need for Family planning as they carry a high risk of unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, sexual violence And poor obstetric outcomes. However, regarding contraceptive utilization and associated Factors among women with mental illness in low–income countries including Ethiopia is not Adequately explored.

Objective

To assess the magnitude of contraceptive utilization and associated factors among reproductive age women attending psychiatric outpatient services, at the northwest Amhara regional referral hospitals, Ethiopia

Methods

An institutional–based cross-sectional study was conducted among 810 study participants. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to recruit study participants. A structured and pretested questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data was entered in Epi data 3.1 and then exported to Stata version 14 for analysis. Model fitness was checked by using Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with contraceptive utilization among psychiatric outpatients. In multivariable logistic regression variables having a P-value less than 0.05 with 95% CI were considered as independently associated factors for the outcome Variable.

Result

About 42.59% (CI: 39.18–46.0) of the respondents were using family planning Contraceptive methods at the time of the study. Higher educational level (AOR=3.84 [95% CI: 1.81–8.16]), women who had no intention to have children in the future (AOR=1.53 [95% CI:1.02–2.30]), women counseled about family planning contraceptive method by a clinician (AOR=4.06 [95% CI:2.53–6.49]), good knowledge of family planning (AOR=2.77 [95% CI:1.90–4.03]), fear of side effect of psychiatric medication (AOR=1.57 [95% CI:1.09–2.25]) were factors associated with contraceptive utilization.

Conclusion and recommendation

Approximately 42.59% of women with psychiatric illnesses were using modern family planning methods. Significant predictors included having a higher education, good knowledge of family planning, not planning to have children in the future, believing that psychiatric medications are compatible with family planning, and receiving counseling on modern methods from healthcare providers. It is essential for healthcare providers to enhance family planning counseling in mental health clinics to improve knowledge and utilization of these methods.