Assessment of contraceptive utilization pattern of Kola Diba health centre

Abstract

Abstract:

Three years record of family planning in Kola Diba health centre was analyzed to assess clients'regularity and continuity of collecting monthly pills after adoption. Records of all new acceptors during the study period were retrospectively examined for 24 months to calculate interruption and discontinuation rates. Out of a total of 283 new acceptors identified only two used IUD while the rest (99.3%) used the combined pill in a 3 to 1 urban-rural ratio. Of the 281 pill users, fifty (17.8%) and 22(7.8%) disappeared after first and second contacts with the health centre, respectively. By the 24th month 223(79.4 % ) have discontinued collecting their monthly pills. The median duration of stay in the programme after adoption was eight months. Being in the programme, 80(28.5%) clients interrupted collecting their monthly pills at least once. The number of pill collection missed by single and/or first interruption ranged between one and 17 months with a median of three. Interrupters or discontinuers did not significantly differ from regular or /continuous acceptors by age or area of residence(p >0.05). Such high irregularities and drop-outs could be minimized by counselling, attractive service environment, a wide range of method choices, and use of community based distribution and education. The rates could be analyzed from routine reports of health institutions to monitor and improve FP programme performance. [Ethiop. I. Health Dev. 1996;10(2):123-127]