Knowledge, determinants and use of modern contraceptives among married women in Sabon Gari Zaria-northern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Improving reproductive health of young women in least developed countries requires access to safe and effective contraceptive methods. We conducted a study on knowledge, determinants and use of modern contraceptives among married women in Sabon Gari, Zaria-Northern Nigeria. The study aimed to assess contraceptive knowledge, sources of information, determinants and use of modern FP. This was a cross sectional descriptive and health facility-based study. Respondents were selected consecutively from the out-patient clinic register of Comprehensive Health Centre and a structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Only three hundred and nine (309) questionnaires were finally analyzed out of the 350 questionnaires administered. Mean age of respondents was 32.8+9.6 years. Majority (78 %) were Muslim, married and in monogamous union (72.2%). Knowledge of modern FP was almost universal 97.7% even though knowledge of 2 or more methods was 55.3%. Mean number of contraceptives known by respondents was 2. About 42.7% of respondents have ever used any contraceptive method. The Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) was 12.3 % and the preferred FP choice among respondents was the injectable contraceptives (5.2%). Sources of information on FP were Nurse 42.1% and relatives/ friends 19.7%. Significant determinants of FP current use among the respondents include age, education, religion and type of marriage. FP use among study participants attending the centre is low despite good knowledge of modern contraception. Factors associated with contraceptive use should be used as advocacy tool by all tiers of Government to organize sustained publicity awareness campaigns in order to improve acceptability and usage.