Community awareness and practice of family planning in an urban community in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract:

To assess community awareness and practices concerning family planning in an urban community in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a survey was carried out in June and July 1993. Of the 536 people interviewed 332 (61.9%) had heard about family planning. The contraceptive prevalence rate in the community was 29.5%, with oral contraceptive pills being the most popular method. Contraceptive methods usage rate was observed to be significantly higher among people with permanent job (OR=1.98), among highly educated (OR=3.82) and among people with larger family size (OR=1.92) compared to the others. Health workers and radio were the main sources of family planning information, by 70% and 20% of the study population, respectively. The major barriers to contraceptive use were fear of side-effects and religious taboos. Only 4% of the study population obtained their contraceptives from hospitals and private clinics, and over 90% of the respondents suggested that contraceptives be distributed free of charge. The study demonstrated that there still exists a wide gap between the knowledge about contraception and actual use. Expansion of family planning services through inexpensive and more accessible means and strengthening of individual counselling are recommended as ways to reduce this gap. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1995;9(3):133-139]