Prevalence of long-acting reversible contraceptive methods utilization and associated factors among counseled mothers in immediate postpartum period at Jimma University medical center, Ethiopia.

Background: Postpartum family planning is defined as the prevention of unintended pregnancy and closely spaced pregnancies through the first twelve months following childbirth. The immediate postpartum period is particularly favorable time to provide long-acting reversible contraception methods; and postpartum provision is safe and effective. Despite the advantages of long acting reversible contraception methods, they may be infrequently used in Ethiopia.

Objective: This study assessed the prevalence and associated factors of long-acting reversible contraceptive methods utilization among counseled mothers in immediate postpartum period.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 393 women who gave birth at Jimma University Medical Centre from 12 November 2016 to 21 January 2017, Ethiopia. Data were collected by face-to-face interview using pre-tested structured questionnaire and by record reviewing using data compiling form; and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Logistic regression was used to identify associated factors for long acting contraceptive methods use. P-value less than 0.05 at 95% confidence level was taken as significance level.

Results: Prevalence of reversible long acting contraceptive methods utilization among immediate postpartum mothers was 53.2% (209/393) and more than three-fourths (78.0%) of participants used implanon. The most common reported reason for not using reversible long acting contraceptive methods was preference of other contraceptive methods like short acting contraceptives (25.5%). Having more than four alive kids (AOR 2.6, 95% CI: 1.15,5.95), high monthly income (≥1000 ETB) (AOR 2.4, 95% CI: 1.08,7.20), planning to delay next pregnancy by more than 2 years (AOR 4.0, 95% CI: 1.60,9.28), mothers with no fertility desire (AOR 2.0, 95% CI: 1.12,3.15), prior use of reversible long acting contraceptive methods (AOR 3.0, 95% CI: 1.30,7.20) and receiving counseling during antenatal care follow-up and before delivery (AOR 2.0, 95% CI: 1.01, 4.73) were associated with immediate postpartum reversible long acting contraceptive methods use.

Conclusion and recommendations: Although the prevalence of reversible long acting contraceptive methods utilization in immediate postpartum was high, counseling mothers during ANC follow-up and before delivery can further increase its utilization. Therefore, the need for providing counseling during ANC follow up and before delivery to increase utilization of immediate postpartum reversible long acting contraceptive methods use is emphasized.