Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: December | Volume: 9 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 124-132
Factors Influencing Contraceptive Preferences among Reproductive Women Attending the Child Welfare Clinic in Rural Kumbungu
Shamsu-Deen Ziblim1, Martin Mumuni Danaah Malick2
1Department of Community Health and Family Medicine, 2Department of Pharmacy,
School of Medicine and Health Science, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
Corresponding Author: Shamsu-Deen Ziblim
ABSTRACT
Maternal and child health is very crucial to very nation due to the rule women play in society. It is against this background that the united nation paid a much attention on the health of both children and women and has therefore given it a special consideration in both the MDGs and the SDGs. Many countries including Ghana have since developed and implemented local strategies aimed at improving women and child health. This study aimed at exploring the knowledge of women within the reproductive age on contraceptives use and preferences and also ascertains the factors that influence contraceptives preferences among postpartum women attending CWC in Kumbungu District of the northern region of Ghana.
In conducting this study cross-sectional study design and mix method were adopted. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were the basic sampling method used. Survey questionnaire, observation and in-depth interviews were the main tools used for data collection. The quantitative data were entered onto Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 23.0 for analysis. In terms of the qualitative data, the interviews were audio recorded, and transcribed onto Microsoft word before analysis.
The study found that there is a significant association between some socio-demographic characteristics such as educational level (P< 0.001), religious affiliation of respondent (P< 0.045), (P < 0.001) and contraceptives preference. About 61.4% of respondents reported that they were using contraceptives at the time of the study. This was however a drop from 77.9% of those who reported ever use of contraceptives. The most preferred contraceptive was the injectable (65.9%) and the implants (23.1%). Use of maternal health services such as preconception counseling, STI education, family planning and antenatal services were significantly associated with contraceptives preferences.
The study concludes that customs and traditions as well as religion are major predictors hindering women free will to use contraceptives. It also found out that the injectable and implant contraceptives are the most preferred among respondents. Socio-demographic characteristics, use of maternal health services and fertility preferences have a significant association with contraceptive preferences. It further concludes that traditional beliefs system affects the use of contraceptives. The study recommends that the Ghana Health Service should continue to educate communities through durbars and continue to collaborate with other stakeholders in the health industry to capture contraceptives services under the NHIS.
Key words: Contraceptives, Preferences, Knowledge, Postpartum, Contraceptives