Prevalence and determinants of contraceptive use among women of child-bearing age in a rural community in southern Nigeria

Background: Women’s ability to determine whether and when to have children, enhances their health, education and employment chances. Determinants of contraceptives use are key variables in the evaluation of family planning programmes. The study assessed the knowledge, prevalence and determinants of contraception among women of child-bearing age (WCA) in a rural community. Method: A total population study was conducted using a descriptive cross-sectional study design among women of child-bearing age in Awuyemi community of Etsako East LGA, Edo State, Nigeria. A pre-tested, structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was the tool for data collection. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Test of associations were carried out using Chi-squared tests and binary logistic regression was used to determine significant predictors of contraceptive use. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Two hundred and ninety-five WCA with mean age of 27.4 ± 7.9 years participated in the study. One hundred and seventy-seven (60.0%) of them were multiparous women. Of these, 115 (65.0%) had an average birth interval of ≤ 2 years. About one-third had ever used contraceptives while 26.4% were current users. The commonest contraceptive used by the respondents was condoms (33.3%). Determinants of current use of contraceptive were cost of contraceptive (p = 0.036), informed choice (p < 0.001), and level of education (p = 0.024). Conclusion: Contraceptive prevalence rate among the respondents was low. Determinants of current use of contraceptive were cost of contraceptives, informed choice and level of education and these should be used for targeted interventions by all stakeholders in intervention programmes.