Predictors of modern contraceptive use during the postpartum period among women in Uganda: a population-based cross sectional study

Rutaremwa, Gideon; Kabagenyi, Allen; Ojiambo Wandera, Stephen; Jhamba, Tapiwa; Akiror, Edith; Nviiri, Hellen Laetitia

Predictors of modern contraceptive use during the postpartum period among women in Uganda: a population-based cross sectional study

Date

2015

Authors

Rutaremwa, Gideon

Kabagenyi, Allen

Ojiambo Wandera, Stephen

Jhamba, Tapiwa

Akiror, Edith

Nviiri, Hellen Laetitia

Publisher

BMC public health

Abstract

The rationale for promotion of family planning (FP) to delay conception after a recent birth is a best practice that can lead to optimal maternal and child health outcomes. Uptake of postpartum family planning (PPFP) remains low in sub-Saharan Africa. However, little is known about how pregnant women arrive at their decisions to adopt PPFP. Methods: We used 3298 women of reproductive ages 15–49 from the 2011 UDHS dataset, who had a birth in the 5 years preceding the survey. We then applied both descriptive analyses comprising Pearson’s chi-square test and later a binary logistic regression model to analyze the relative contribution of the various predictors of uptake of modern contraceptives during the postpartum period. Results: More than a quarter (28%) of the women used modern family planning during the postpartum period in Uganda. PPFP was significantly associated with primary or higher education (OR=1.96; 95% CI=1.43-2.68; OR=2.73; 95% CI=1.88-3.97 respectively); richest wealth status (OR=2.64; 95% CI=1.81-3.86); protestant religion (OR=1.27; 95% CI=1.05-1.54) and age of woman (OR=0.97, 95% CI=0.95-0.99). In addition, PPFP was associated with number of surviving children (OR=1.09; 95 % CI=1.03-1.16); exposure to media (OR=1.30; 95% CI=1.05-1.61); skilled birth attendance (OR=1.39; 95% CI=1.12-1.17); and 1–2 days timing of post-delivery care (OR=1.68; 95% CI=1.14-2.47). Conclusions: Increasing reproductive health education and information among postpartum women especially those who are disadvantaged, those with no education and the poor would significantly improve PPFP in Uganda.

Keywords

Predictors, Postpartum, Family Planning, Contraception, Women, Uganda

Citation

Rutaremwa, G., Kabagenyi, A., Wandera, S. O., Jhamba, T., Akiror, E., & Nviiri, H. L. (2015). Predictors of modern contraceptive use during the postpartum period among women in Uganda: a population-based cross sectional study. BMC public health, 15(1), 1-9. DOI 10.1186/s12889-015-1611-y