USE OF CONTRACEPTIVES, ASSOCIATED FACTORS AND CONTRACEPTIVE RECOMMENDATIONS AMONG FEMALE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AT SPHMMC AND AFFILIATE CENTERS

Abstract

SUMMARY BACKGROUND: Family planning enables individuals to attain their desired number of children and determine the spacing of pregnancies, through the use of contraceptive methods. The use of contraceptive by women is influenced by various factors including healthcare providers. HCPs have a big role in women’s choice of family planning methods. Studies have shown the personal contraceptive choice of HCPs may affect their counseling and recommendations to their clients. There is no study done in Ethiopia that assesses the use of contraceptives and contraceptive recommendation among health care providers. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess the contraceptive use, associated factors and contraceptive recommendations among female health care providers at St Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College and affiliate centers. METHODS: An institution based cross-sectional study design was conducted on 180 female healthcare providers involved in family planning services on August 2023 using simple random sampling. An online Google form was used to assess the socio-demographic, occupational and obstetric characters, Contraceptive use and contraceptive recommendation among female health care providers. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive analysis was computed in order to determine frequencies, mean, standard deviation, and percentages. Bivariate logistic and multi variable regression analysis was then used to determine the association between the dependent and independent variables. RESULTS: The study showed that current contraceptive use among female HCPs was 31.7%. The three commonest methods used were Implants (50.9%) followed by pills and Cu IUDs. On multivariable binary logistic regression marital status [Single: AOR: 0.282, 95% CI: (0.102, 0.781), p-value: 0.015], and having children [Parous: AOR: 3.145, 95% CI: (1.114, 8.882), pvalue: 0.031] were found to have significant association with contraceptive use. The top recommendation for Spacers was Implant while Sterilization was the top recommendation for Limiters. HCPs who currently use implants are 2.5 times more likely to recommend implants for spacers than those who do not currently use implants (COR: 2.486, 95% CI: 1.110, 5.569, pvalue: 0.027). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that contraceptive use among female HCPs was 31.7% and Implants were the most used types. Marital status and parity had a statistically significant impact on current contraceptive use while professional level did not. Personal use of contraceptive methods has also showed an influence on contraceptive recommendations.