Preferences, Utilization and Factors affecting Use of Contraceptives among Women attending Primary Health Care Facilities in Delta State, Southern Nigeria

Contraceptive use has numerous benefits for the family and the nation that can be maximized with its consistent use. However, many women have preferences for certain contraceptives with implications for continued use.

To determine the contraceptive preferences of women, their utilization pattern and factors affecting utilization of the preferred contraceptive choices.

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 426 women of reproductive age selected from 32 primary health facilities using multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential analysis of data collected was carried out using IBM SPSS version 22 software. P-value was set at 0.05.

Close to half of the respondents 211 (49.5%) preferred injectable contraceptives, 79 (18.6%) selected implants and 27 (6.3%) chose condoms. The majority 212 (49.8%) of respondents used injectable contraceptives, followed by implants 66 (15.5%), condoms 33 (7.7%), IUCD 54 (12.7%) and OCP 61 (14.3%). Age (p<0.001), number of children (p<0.001), clients' employment status (p<0.001), husband support (p<0.021) and desire for more children (p<0.001) were all statistically associated with the utilization of preferred contraceptives.

Even though respondents preferred the injectable contraceptives, implants and IUCD in that order, their utilization pattern followed the order of Injectable, implants and OCP. Several factors were identified to be statistically associated with the utilization of preferred contraceptives. Health education on contraceptive use among women, spousal support and health workers training to highlight those factors influencing women's contraceptive preferences and utilization are recommended.