Utilization of Postpartum Family Planning Services between Six and Twelve Months of Delivery at Ntchisi District Hospital, Malawi

Abstract

This study examined factors that determine utilization of postpartum family planning services at Ntchisi District Hospital in Malawi. The study design was descriptive and utilized quantitative methods of data collection and analysis. A random sample of 383 postpartum women was interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16.0. Chi-square tests were used to establish relationships between utilization of Post Partum Family Planning services and demographic variables. Knowledge about family planning services was almost universal at 94.3% among the women. About 75% of the women were using the contraceptives within the first year after delivery however they started taking the contraceptives after they had already resumed sex. There was a significant association (P < 0.05) between utilization of post partum family planning services and the following: clarity of family planning information given, level of education, period for resuming sex, husband's approval of family planning method, counselling on fertility intention, duration of lactation amenorrhoea, maternal age and parity. There is therefore a need to promote these factors to increase uptake of postpartum services.

Associated Factors of Postpartum Modern Contraceptive Use in Burie District, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

“…Women stated that their reasons for not using modern contraceptives during the postpartum period were menses not returned (started) to use FP methods, fear of side effects, no prior exposure to modern FP, desire for more children, and husband disapproval. Similar reasons have been documented in studies conducted in Malawi, Gondar, and North Ethiopia [8,23,27].…”

“…This may be explained as women who have been educated are more likely to visit a health facility and receive counseling or services on family planning, and go on to use modern contraceptives, than who have not been educated. Studies elsewhere have revealed a similar pattern of relationship between educational level and modern contraceptive use [22,23].…”

“…Furthermore, women who contacted health professionals providing the service were more likely to use modern contraceptive in the postpartum period. A study conducted in Malawi supports this finding [23]. This may be due to client satisfaction; if clients perceive themselves as treated well and having received high-quality services, they tend to continue contraceptive use after delivery.…”

Prevalence and determinants of modern contraceptive utilization among rural lactating mothers: findings from the primary health care project in two northwest Ethiopian districts

“…In this study the magnitude of modern contraceptive utilization was consistent with that of a previous study reported from Gondar city (48.4%) [23]. However, the magnitude of modern contraceptive utilization in our study is lower than the finding in Malawi where three-fourths (75%) of the lactating women utilized contraceptives [26]. This difference might be due to variations in the awareness of the people, the availability of the contraceptive methods and differences in study settings to access the service.…”

Postpartum modern contraceptive use in northern Ethiopia: prevalence and associated factors

“…A study conducted in Malawi supports this finding [9]. This may be due to client dissatisfaction; if clients perceive themselves as having received low-quality services, they tend to discontinue contraceptive use after delivery.…”