INTRODUCTION: Postpartum family planning (PPFP) is defined as the prevention of unintended pregnancy and closely spaced pregnancies through the first twelve months following childbirth. Immediate postpartum period is particularly favorable time to provide LARC methods and postpartum provision of LARC is safe and effective. Despite the advantages of LARCs, they are infrequently used in Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 393 women who gave birth at Jimma University Medical Centre (JUMC) from November 12, 2016 to January 21, 2017. Data were collected by face-to-face interview and record review using pre-tested questionnaire and analysed using SPSS 20. Logistic regression was used to identify associated factors for LARC method use. RESULTS: Prevalence of LARCs use among immediate postpartum mothers was 53.2% and more than three quarter (78.0%) of participants used Implanon. The most common reported reasons for not using LARC were preference of other method (25.5%). Having more than four alive kids (95% CI: 1.15-5.95), high monthly income (95% CI: 1.08-7.20), planning to delay next pregnancy by more than two years (95% CI: 1.60-9.28), previous experience of LARC use (95% CI: 1.30- 7.20), completed family size (95% CI:1.12- 3.15), and most importantly receiving counselling during antenatal care (ANC) follow up and before delivery (95% CI 1.01- 4.73) were associated with immediate postpartum LARC use. CONCLUSION: Utilisation of immediate postpartum LARC methods use among counselled mothers was high compared to other low income countries reviewed. The need for providing counselling during ANC follow up and delivery to increase utilisation of immediate postpartum LARC use is emphasised.

Background Postpartum family planning is defined as the prevention of unintended pregnancy and closely spaced pregnancies through the first twelve months following childbirth. The immediate postpartum period is particularly favorable time to provide long-acting reversible contraception methods; and postpartum provision is safe and effective. Despite the advantages of long acting reversible contraception methods, they may be infrequently used in Ethiopia. Objective This study assessed the prevalence and associated factors of long-acting reversible contraceptive methods utilization among counseled mothers in immediate postpartum period. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 393 women who gave birth at Jimma University Medical Centre from 12 November 2016 to 21 January 2017, Ethiopia. Data were collected by face-to-face interview using pre-tested structured questionnaire and by record reviewing using data compiling form; and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Logistic regression was used to identify associated factors for long acting contraceptive methods use. P-value less than 0.05 at 95% confidence level was taken as significance level. Results Prevalence of reversible long acting contraceptive methods utilization among immediate postpartum mothers was 53.2% (209/393) and more than three-fourths (78.0%) of participants used implanon. The most common reported reason for not using reversible long acting contraceptive methods was preference of other contraceptive methods like short acting contraceptives (25.5%). Having more than four alive kids (AOR 2.6, 95% CI: 1.15,5.95), high monthly income (≥1000 ETB) (AOR 2.4, 95% CI: 1.08,7.20), planning to delay next pregnancy by more than 2 years (AOR 4.0, 95% CI: 1.60,9.28), mothers with no fertility desire (AOR 2.0, 95% CI: 1.12,3.15), prior use of reversible long acting contraceptive methods (AOR 3.0, 95% CI: 1.30,7.20) and receiving counseling during antenatal care follow-up and before delivery (AOR 2.0, 95% CI: 1.01, 4.73) were associated with immediate postpartum reversible long acting contraceptive methods use. Conclusion and recommendations Although the prevalence of reversible long acting contraceptive methods utilization in immediate postpartum was high, counseling mothers during ANC follow-up and before delivery can further increase its utilization. Therefore, the need for providing counseling during ANC follow up and before delivery to increase utilization of immediate postpartum reversible long acting contraceptive methods use is emphasized.

Background: Postpartum family planning (PPFP) is defined as the prevention of unintended pregnancy and closely spaced pregnancies through the first twelve months following childbirth. The immediate postpartum period is particularly favorable time to provide long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods and postpartum provision of LARC methods is safe and effective. Despite the advantages of LARC methods, they are infrequently used in Ethiopia. Objective: This study assessed the prevalence and pattern of LARC methods use among counseled mothers in immediate postpartum. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 393 women who gave birth at Jimma University Medical Centre from 12 November 2016 to 21 January 2017. Data were collected by face-to-face interview and record review using pre-tested questionnaire and analysed using SPSS 20. Logistic regression was used to identify associated factors for LARC methods use. Results: Prevalence of LARC methods use among immediate postpartum mothers was 53.2% (209/393) and more than three-fourths (78.0%) of participants used implanon. The most common reported reason for not using LARC methods was preference of other method (25.5%). Having more than four alive kids (95% CI: 1.15,5.95), high monthly income (≥1000 ETB) (95% CI: 1.08,7.20), planning to delay next pregnancy by more than 2 years (95% CI: 1.60,9.28), completed family size (95% CI: 1.12,3.15), prior use of LARC methods (95% CI: 1.30,7.20) and receiving counseling during antenatal care (ANC) follow-up and before delivery (95% CI: 1.01, 4.73) were associated with immediate postpartum LARC methods use. Conclusion: Although the prevalence of LARC methods use in immediate postpartum was good, counseling mothers during ANC follow-up and before delivery can further increase its use. Therefore, the need for providing counseling during ANC follow up and before delivery to increase utilisation of immediate postpartum LARC methods use is emphasised. Key terms: Long acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods, Immediate postpartum, Ethiopia

Background Postpartum family planning (PPFP) is defined as the prevention of unintended pregnancy and closely spaced pregnancies through the first twelve months following childbirth. The immediate postpartum period is particularly favorable time to provide long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods and postpartum provision of LARC is safe and effective. Despite the advantages of LARCs, they are infrequently used in Ethiopia.Objective This study assessed the prevalence and pattern of LARC methods use among counseled mothers in immediate postpartum.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 393 women who gave birth at Jimma University Medical Centre from 12 November 2016 to 21 January 2017. Data were collected by face-to-face interview and record review using pre-tested questionnaire and analysed using SPSS 20. Logistic regression was used to identify associated factors for LARCs use.Results Prevalence of LARCs use among immediate postpartum mothers was 53.2% (209/393) and more than three-fourths (78.0%) of participants used implanon. The most common reported reason for not using LARCs was preference of other method (25.5%). Having more than four alive kids (95% CI: 1.15,5.95), high monthly income (≥1000 ETB) (95% CI: 1.08,7.20), planning to delay next pregnancy by more than 2 years (95% CI: 1.60,9.28), completed family size (95% CI: 1.12,3.15), prior use of LARCs (95% CI: 1.30,7.20) and receiving counseling during antenatal care (ANC) follow-up and before delivery (95% CI: 1.01, 4.73) were associated with immediate postpartum LARCs use.Conclusion Although the prevalence of LARC methods use in immediate postpartum was good, counseling mothers during ANC follow-up and before delivery can further increase its use. Therefore, the need for providing counseling during ANC follow up and before delivery to increase utilisation of immediate postpartum LARC use is emphasised.Key terms Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), Immediate postpartum, Ethiopia