Utilization of long-acting contraceptive methods and associated factors among female healthcare providers in South Wollo Zone hospitals, Northeast, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional multicenter study

PLOS Glob Public Health. 2023 Mar 27;3(3):e0001692. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001692. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

In Ethiopia Long-acting contraception method utilization was found low (22.7%) among female healthcare providers. However, there is no study has been conducted on the utilization long-acting contraception methods among female healthcare providers in the study area. These studies addressed important variables such as socio-demography and individual factors that might affect the use of long-acting contraceptive methods among female healthcare providers. We assessed the utilization of long-acting contraceptive methods and associated factors among healthcare providers in South Wollo Zone public hospitals, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, in 2021.An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 354 female healthcare workers in the South Wollo Zone hospitals from March to April, 2021. The participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. The data were collected using self-administered questionnaires entered into Epi-data version 4.1 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Bi-variable and multi-variable logistic regression analyses were performed. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR), along with a 95% confidence interval (CI), was estimated to measure the association. The significance level was set at a P- value under 0.05. The current utilization of long-acting contraceptive methods among female healthcare providers was found to be 33.6% [95%, CI 29-39)]. Discussion with a partner [AOR = 2.277,95% CI, (1.026-5.055)], method shift/switched [AOR = 4.302,95% CI, (2.285-8.102)], knowledge of the respondent [AOR = 1.887,95% CI, (1.020-3.491)], and ever birth [AOR = 15.670,95% CI, (5.065-48.49)] were significant factors toward the utilization of long-acting contraceptive methods. The current utilization of long-acting contraceptive methods was found to be low. Therefore, encouraging partner discussions through a targeted information education communication intervention strategy should be intensified to improve long-acting contraceptive methods utilization.

Grants and funding

Wollo University supported to conduct this study. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.