Contraceptive Use and the Associated Factors among Women of Reproductive Age in Jazan City, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

The contraceptive use profile is poorly understood in some Gulf Arabian countries, including Saudi Arabia. The present study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices related to contraceptive use among women of childbearing age in Jazan city, Saudi Arabia. An observational, analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among a random sample of 450 women in Jazan city. The data were obtained through personal interviews using a questionnaire that included questions on women’s level of knowledge about contraception methods, their attitudes towards contraception methods, and their practices. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics techniques using the SPSS program. The prevalence of ever having used contraceptives was significantly different according to age group, job status, children ever born, and the number of pregnancies (p < 0.05 for all). On the other hand, the prevalence of desire to use the contraceptives in the future was high, at 70.9%, with a 95% CI [66.5–74.9]. It differed significantly according to age group and job status (p < 0.05 for both). The most familiar and usable types of contraceptives were pills (36.3%) and intrauterine devices (24.4%). When asked their reasons for using contraceptives, 53.8% of participants cited child spacing and 21.8% improving child health. Logistic regression revealed that the use of contraception among women was more associated with the 20–34 age group [COR = 7.7, 95% CI = 4.4–13.5, p < 0.001] than the 15–24 age group. Having more than one pregnancy and having more than one child were also associated with increased use of contraceptive methods (p < 0.001 for both). These results indicate there is a high level of awareness about contraceptives, a positive attitude toward them, and good practices for the use of them among Saudi women in Jazan. More efforts are needed to improve women’s awareness for better utilization of the available services.

Knowledge on, Attitude Toward, and Practice of Contraceptive Methods Among Females of Reproductive Age in Al-Qunfudah Governorate, Saudi Arabia

“…The current study found that 80.25% of the participants have used any form of contraception; this estimate is roughly in line with a cross-sectional study carried out in Hail City (85%) in 2020 [29], but it is slightly higher than those in Jazan in 2018 (64.4%) [30], Taif in 2015 (67.7%) [11], and Jeddah in 2018 (69.7%) [13].…”

“…The utilization of contraception was similar in these Saudi areas due to the similarities in the participants' socio-economic characteristics. The main reason for using contraceptives in this study is child spacing (35.96%); this finding is supported by the researchers in Jazan in 2018 [ 30 ]. Contraceptive pills were the most widely used method of birth control, followed by intrauterine devices (28.97%).…”

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Contraceptives Used among Indigenous Women of Reproductive Age in Barangay Hawilian, Esperanza, Agusan Del Sur

“…Healthcare facilities must offer family planning counseling and health education initiatives to increase awareness and use of contraceptive techniques. To make greater use of the available family planning services, contraception awareness campaigns should also be made available to men (Mahfouz et al, 2023).…”

“…The study emphasizes the value of DOH local health clinics to women of reproductive age as a resource for knowledge and access to contraceptive options. The World Health Organization (WHO) asserts that ensuring women's access to chosen contraceptive methods is crucial for promoting both the community's economic well-being and the health of mothers and children (Mahfouz et al, 2023).…”

Association of Hormonal Contraceptives with Depression among Women in Reproductive Age-Groups- a Cross-Sectional Analytic Study

“…Oral contraceptive pills (OCP) are the most commonly used contraceptive measure, owing to their effectiveness and practicability. [1] The estimated use of OCPs ranges from 45% to 64% in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [2].…”