Context: Female traders are a part of the informal sector which is characterized by flexible timing, easy
entry and exit, proximity to residence and compatibility between work and family responsibilities
especially child care. More than half of Nigerian women are traders and are reported to have the highest
fertility rates. The ability to regulate and control fertility has tremendous impact on women's health by
reducing rates of unintended pregnancies and the need for unsafe abortion.
Objectives: The study was designed to assess use of contraceptives and associated factors among female
traders in a well-defined market.
Methods: Adescriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out among a total sample of 225 female traders
aged 15-49years in Sango market, Ibadan, south west Nigeria. An interviewer administered questionnaire
was used to collect information on their socio-demographic characteristics and contraceptive use.
Main Outcome Measures: Prevalence of ever and current contraceptive use, types and factors associated
with contraceptive use was determined.
Results: Their mean age was 32.3± 8.2 years, 172 (76.4%) were married and 102 (45.3%) had secondary
education. Ever and current use of contraceptive was reported by 34.7% and 25.3% of respondents
respectively. The Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD) was the most used method (30.0%). Current
contraceptive use was highest among respondents aged 30-39 years (p=0.009).
Conclusions: Level of contraceptive use among female traders in Nigeria is quite low. Efforts should be
made to increase use through market based family planning programmes.