Factors Influencing Contraceptive Uptake Among Reproductive Women in Tamale Metropolis

ABSTRACT

Introduction Contraceptive uptake can accelerate the achievement of not only the four Millennium Developments Goals( MDGs) that are directly related to reproductive health, but can also help in the elimination of poverty and hunger as well as environmental sustainability. Despite these benefits, modern contraceptive uptake among reproductive women, in Ghana is still below the national target of 51 %. The Northern Region has one of the lowest contraceptive uptake in the country over the past decade. The study therefore assessed factors that influence contraceptive uptake among reproductive women in the Tamale Metropolis. Methods A cross sectional study using both qualitative and quantitative approach was used to elicit information from reproductive women between the ages of 15-49years from all the three sub Metropolis in Tamale from February to March 2015. The study used cluster sampling to recruit 475 women and interviewed them using a structured questionnaire. In addition, nine focus group discussions (FGDs) were held among community members who were purposively selected. The quantitative data were analyzed using Stata version 13. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with contraceptive uptake. Both crude and adjusted odds ratios were estimated at 95% confidence intervals. Socio-economic status was determined using principal component analysis. FGDs were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed with Nvivo 10 software. Both the quantitative and qualitative data were later triangulated in reporting the results of the study. xiii Results A total of 475 reproductive age women were studied. The mean age was 26years. The prevalence of contraceptive uptake among reproductive women was 36.8 %( 165 out of 448) while that of married women was 34.3%. Women with secondary education [AOR=4.4(95%CI, 1.6-12.4)], occupation [AOR=0.3(95%CI, 0.1-0.8)], having separate facilities to serve adults and adolescents [AOR=0.4(95%CI, 0.2-0.7)] and my partner does not know I use contraceptives [AOR=0.4(95%CI, 0.2-0.9)] were identified as factors affecting contraceptive uptake among women in the Metropolis. Conclusion The study found contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) among women in reproductive age in the Metropolis to be 36.8%. Factors that were identified to significantly affect contraceptive uptake within the Metropolis were, attitude of contraceptive service providers towards clients, prior public education on contraceptives by service providers, the environment where the services are provided and partner involvement in contraceptive uptake. A concerted effort from all stake holders including religious, opinion leaders, health authorities the government as well as community members is necessary to scaling up contraceptive uptake in the region