DETERMINANTS OF LONG ACTING CONTRACEPTIVES USE AMONG HIGH PARITY WOMEN IN THE SAGNARIGU MUNICIPALITY OF NORTHERN GHANA

Modern contraceptives are important for improving national development as it controls the fast- growing population. It is a cost-effective strategy for reducing high-risk pregnancies, decreasing unsafe abortions, allowing for birth spacing and limiting and improving child health and growth hence empowering women and enhancing economic development. Women with high parity are at a higher risk of developing complications during pregnancy and child birth and consequently maternal and child mortality. Long acting contraceptives could prevent pregnancy from about two years up to ten years or forever. They include long acting reversible methods such as intra-uterine device and implants and permanent methods such as vasectomy and tubectomy. The study assessed the determinants of long acting contraceptives use among high parity women in the sagnarigu municipal of Northern Ghana. A quantitative facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured questionnaire to collect data. A multistage sampling technique was employed and data analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to establish the association between the independent variables and the dependent variable. The overall use of long acting contraceptives was 33.3%. Implant (88.6%) was the most used method followed by IUD (11.4%). Higher education (aOR: 0.01,p- value=0.03,95%CI 0.04-1.35), current pregnancy (aOR:0.12,P-value=0.006,95% CI=0.28-4.87), high parity (aOR:0.85,P-value=0.028,95% CI=2.60-6.70) and intention to use long acting contraceptive (aOR:5.81, P-value=0.002,95% CI=5.112-7.06) and women who use injectables (aOR:0.53, P-value=0.042,95% C.I. 1.197-4.626) and pills (aOR:0.82, P-value=0.021,95% C.I. 4.20-19.54) compared with women who use traditional methods were found to be statistically significant with long acting contraceptive use. The current use of long acting contraceptives was low. The reasons for the non-use of long acting contraceptives were fear of side effects, religion being against its usage and partner disapproval. Efforts should be made by the district health directorate and other partners involved in family planning campaigns to demystify misconceptions and myths about long-acting contraceptives through intensive health education and counselling.