Use Of Modern Family Planning Methods Among Women Of South-Western Nigeria: A Snapshot.

Abstract

Introduction: The use of modern family planning methods equips couple and single women of reproductive age with the tool to decide when they want pregnancy, required number of children and the spacing between childbirths, This has enormous benefits for the women, families and thesociety at large.

Methods: This study wasasecondary analysis of the 2013 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). Only the women of reproductive age (15 to 49 years) who reside in the South- Western geo-political zone of Nigeria were included in the
study. Data was analysed using Stata 12.1 software and summarized using proportions. Logistic regression was used to determine the factors that affect the use of modern family planning methods. Results were presented as tables.

Results: A total of 3882 women participated in the study. The commonestage group was the 25 to 29 years age group (28.8%). The mean age was 30.746.2 years. Modern family planning methods were being used by 23.47% of the respondents. Majority (91.32%) of the respondents were married. Lagos state had the highest proportion of women using modern methods (28.98%). Women who had a minimum of secondary education were 1.2 times more likely than those with only primary education to use modern family planning methods (CI=1.035983-1454942, p = 0.018). Older women (225 years) were 1.4 times more likely to use modern family planning than the younger women (CI=1.171135-1.872016, p=0.001). Urban women were twice more likely than the rural women to use modern family planning methods (CI=1.67499%6- 2.447385, p=<0.001).

Conclusion: In conclusion, the present study has demonstrated that the likelihood of using modern family planning among women in the South-Western geo-political zone of Nigeria is increased by the following variables: having at least secondary education; being 25 years old or more and urban residence. We recommend the consideration of these factors in the planning of interventions to increase uptake of modern family methods in Nigeria.