Family planning utilization and associated factors among postpartum women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2018

Pregnancies that occur in the first year after birth can result in adverse outcomes for the mothers and their babies. Postpartum family planning (PPFP) can save lives of many mothers and children. Only few data are available about the magnitude of PPFP use and its determinants in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

To assess PPFP utilization and associated factors in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2018. A total of 625 women were enrolled in the study. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to analyze the data. Binary logistic regression model with adjusted odd ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to identify the factors associated with PPFP use. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered as significant.

The magnitude of PPFP utilization in Addis Ababa was 71.8%. Previous family planning (FP) information (AOR = 13.2; 95% CI: (1.96, 88.07)), FP information from health facility visit (AOR = 2.23; 95% CI: (1.45, 3.43)), antenatal care (AOR = 4.96; 95% CI: (1.58, 15.64)), counseling on FP at postnatal care (AOR = 1.97; 95% CI: (1.27, 3.05)), menses resumption after birth (AOR = 1.75; 95% CI: (1.11, 2.76)), and commencing sexual activity after birth (AOR = 9.34; 95% CI: (5.39, 16.17)) were the factors associated with PPFP use.

Though the magnitude of PPFP use is encouraging, still three out of the ten postpartum women did not use PPFP. The determinants of PPFP use were having FP information, having FP information from health facility visit, antenatal care, counseling about FP during postnatal care, menses resumption after birth, and commencing sexual activity after birth. The health system in the City and the healthcare providers should strive to reach every woman who is not accessing the PPFP services and antenatal care services, and improve counseling services on PPFP during delivery and postnatal care services.