Modern contraceptive use and associated factors among women with disabilities in Gondar City, Amhara Region, north west Ethiopia: a cross sectional study

Abstract

Attention to the sexual reproductive health needs of persons with disabilities is important to ensure the protection and promotion of their human rights, to move forward the international development agenda, and to build a truly inclusive society. The objective of this study was to assess modern contraceptive use and associated factors among women with disabilities in Gondar city, Ethiopia. A community-based cross- sectional study was employed, from 25 June to 05 August 2013. All 280 reproductive age women with disabilities who were found in the town during study period were included. Data were coded, entered and cleaned using EPI INFO statistical software version 3.5.2, and analysed by Software Statistical Packages for Social Sciences version 16. About 18% of participants had ever used modern contraceptive and the contraceptive prevalence rate among study participants and currently married women were 13.1% and 20.2% respectively. One fourth of respondents believed that existing family planning service delivery points were not accessible. The proportion of modern contraceptive use among participants was low. Age, marital status, education, income, and type of disability were significant predictors of modern contraceptive use. Therefore, social behavioural change communication interventions should be designed to improve the awareness of people living with disabilities on modern contraceptives based on the needs and type of disabilities.

Keywords: Women with Disability, modern contraceptive use, Gondar city, Ethiopia