Lactational amenorrhea method as a contraceptive strategy in Niger

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Global Health
• Demography

Background:

• The lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) is a natural family planning method for breastfeeding women.
• Correct LAM use can be highly effective for contraception, but its actual usage and associated factors are often understudied, especially in high-fertility regions.
• Limited access to alternative contraceptive methods in low-income countries makes understanding LAM crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the proportion of women in Niger using LAM correctly.
• To identify characteristics associated with correct LAM use and factors influencing its selection as a primary contraceptive method.
• To address knowledge gaps regarding LAM effectiveness in a high-fertility context.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative data from the 2006 Niger Demographic Health Survey.
• Inclusion of sexually active, non-pregnant, breastfeeding women using contraception (N=673).
• Weighted frequencies and logistic regression models were used to analyze LAM usage and associated characteristics.

Main Results:

• Over half of surveyed women (52%) reported LAM as their primary contraceptive method.
• However, only 21% of these women used LAM correctly.
• Correct LAM use was negatively associated with factors such as lack of formal education, home delivery, and infrequent family planning discussions.

Conclusions:

• Correct use of the lactational amenorrhea method is low among women in Niger, despite its reported popularity.
• There is a significant need for improved education and support to ensure proper LAM usage for family planning.
• Findings highlight the importance of addressing LAM knowledge gaps to potentially improve contraceptive uptake and reduce high fertility rates in Niger and similar settings.