Spatial variations and socioeconomic determinants of modern contraceptive use in Ghana: A Bayesian multilevel analysis

Abstract

The literature on spatial patterns and contextual factors affecting modern contraceptive use is not well-documented in Ghana. This study describes the spatial variations and estimates the socioeconomic determinants of modern contraception among women in reproductive age in Ghana. Using data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, both global and local Moran's I test were performed to show spatial autocorrelation and Bayesian multilevel models estimated to determine socioeconomic factors affecting modern contraceptive use. The results show evidence of low prevalence and spatial clustering of modern contraception use across the country. There were also notable regional disparities in contraceptive use that favour mostly the southern regions. Modern contraceptive use is significantly associated with socioeconomic factors such as educational attainment, work status, and marital status, as well as age, religious affiliation, and parity. Contextual factors such as the convenient location of health facility and family planning messages exposure also have a considerable positive effect on modern contraceptive use. Uneducated, unemployed and never-married women are considerably disadvantaged in the utilisation of modern contraception in Ghana. Socioeconomic and contextual factors play a key role in modern contraceptive use in Ghana.

Risk and protective factors for intention of contraception use among women in Ghana

“…Family planning and contraception play an important role in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality by preventing unintended pregnancies (Atakro et al, 2019; Nyarko, 2020). This is in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) that focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for everybody at all ages (Nyarko, 2020; Pradhan et al, 2017; UNCG SDGs, 2017). Also, Ghana’s population has continued to increase at large rates (Cooke et al, 2016; Kpessa-Whyte, 2018).…”

“…Religion is one such factor affecting the use of contraceptives in Africa (Gyimah et al, 2012; Laryea et al, 2016); A study showed that Muslim and Traditional women in Ghana, were more likely to have never used any form of contraceptive (Gyimah et al, 2012). Socio-economic and contextual factors such as proximity to health facilities also affect contraceptive use in Ghana (Nyarko, 2020). A study showed that women who were either uneducated, unemployed, or never-married were most likely to never use any form of contraceptive (Nyarko, 2020).…”

Prevalence and Predictors of Contraceptives Use among Women Aged (15–49 years) with Induced Abortion History in Ghana

“…The use of modern contraceptives and its associated factors among women age (15–49 years) have been documented in Ghana [ 9 , 11 – 16 ]. However, utilization of modern contraceptives specifically among women with induced abortion history is underreported despite their vulnerability.…”

Prevalence and determinants of contraceptives use among rural young women (15-24 years) in Ghana

“…Reported prevalence rates of contraceptive use among women have been 18% (ages 16-19 years), 49.2% (ages 13-18 years), and 44% (ages 18-24 years) (Agyemang et al, 2019;Grindlay et al, 2018;Odonkor et al, 2012).. The reports show that modern contraceptives use vary across the regions of Ghana (Nyarko, 2020), with an annual increase of about 3.66% (2.81-4.47%) among those aged 15-49 years (Ahmed et al, 2019). Factors such as place of residence, education, (Aviisah et al, 2018), occupation, marriage (Agyemang et al, 2019, reading newspapers, and watching television (Appiah et al, 2020) are believed to influence contraceptives use.…”