Contraceptive prevalence in Dembia District, northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract
Background: Inadequate family planning services exist in Ethiopia, where total fertility and population growth rates
are markedly high.
Objective: This study is aimed at assessing family planning coverage and the main factors that are associated with the
usage of contraceptives among women in the 15-49 years age group.
Methods: A cross sectional community based study was conducted in April 2004 in Dembia District, northwest
Ethiopia. Using the multistage sampling technique, a total of 1340 women in one urban and three rural kebeles were
selected for the study. A questionnaire interview was also used for data collection.
Result: It was found that 392 (71.3%) respondents from the urban kebele and 354 (44.8%) in the rural kebeles of the
district had information about family planning. Three hundred and nine women (23.1%) had ever used modern family
planning methods. The current CPR in the district was found to be 12.3 % (22.5% in the urban kebele and 5.2% in the
rural kebeles) and most women (64.2%) used injectable contraceptives. A total of 144 (46.6%) women who had ever
used contraceptives have discontinued taking contraceptives. Of those women who had never used contraceptives, 728
(70.5%) said they did not want to take contraceptives in the future. Residence, distance from health institutions, age of
the women, education of the woman and the husband, as well as occupation, and religion were found to be
significantly associated with the usage of contraceptives.
Conclusion: CPR is low in the district, especially in rural areas. Strategies like out reach programs and the training of
Community based reproductive health agents (CBRHAs) needs to be considered to increase the coverage of family
planning services in the area. [Ethiop.J.Health Dev. 2006;20(1):32-38]