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

Type Journal Article - BMC public health
Title Predictors of modern contraceptive use during the postpartum period among women in Uganda: a population-based cross sectional study
Author(s)
Volume 15
Issue 1
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2015
Page numbers 262
URL http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/s12889-015-1611-y.pdf
Abstract
Background: 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.

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