Determinants of desire for child spacing among women attending a family planning clinic in Kaduna, north western Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Family planning (FP) refers to a conscious effort by a couple to limit or space the number of children they want using contraceptive methods. This study examined the determinants for child spacing among women of reproductive age at the family planning clinic of the Ungwan-Rimi Primary Health Care facility, Kaduna North LGA, North western, Nigeria.

Methods: The study was a retrospective cross-sectional review of the records of 1351 clients who accessed FP services at the facility between June 2010 and May 2017. A proforma was used to extract required information from the clients’ records. Data was analyzed using the IBM SPSS Version 25.0 and STATA/SE 12. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05

Results: The median (IQR) age of the clients was 27 (8.0) years. Majority 883 (65.4%) completed at least secondary education. A greater proportion of the clients’ 1119 (82.8%) desired child spacing compared to child limiting 232 (17.2%). Bivariate analysis showed that younger age (p<0.001), attainment of up to a secondary education (p=0.04), parity < 4, (p<0.001) and last child birth (LCB) <1year, (p<0.001) were significantly associated with desire for child spacing. Multiple logistic regression analysis further revealed that the older age group ≥ 35 years (AOR=3.72, 95%CI=2.21-6.63) parity of ≥ 4 (AOR=2.35, 95%CI = 1.6-3.46) and use of long acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) (AOR=1.40, 95%CI=1.02-1.91) were significantly associated with increased odds of no desire for child spacing.

Conclusion: This study shows that clients’ age group, parity and preference for LARC influenced behavioral attitudes for child spacing.

Keywords: Family planning, Child spacing, Child limiting, Nigeria