Factors Influencing the Utilization of Modern Contraceptives among Women of Reproductive Ages: A Survey in St. Florence Clinic in Ashaiman Municipality in the Greater Accra Region

Abstract

Background Modern contraceptives usage is instrumental in the realm of prevention of unwanted pregnancy, prevention of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases and overall reducing maternal mortality and improvement of child survival. But the contraceptive rate is very disproportionately low in most developing countries of which Ghana is not an exception. The Ashaiman Municipality in the Greater Accra Region is not alienated to this circumstance of low uptake of modern contraceptives. Objectives The aim of this study was to identify or assess the factors that determine the utilization of modern contraceptives among women in their reproductive ages in Ashaiman Municipality. Methodology This was a health facility based cross-sectional study involving 290 women in their reproductive ages of 20-49 years at the St Florence Clinic situated in Ashaiman Municipality from 3rd January 2017 to 25th January 2017. Study participants were recruited by systematic random sampling and trained field investigators interrogated them to elicit responses. Results A modern contraceptive prevalence rate of 66 out of 290 (22.76%) was measured. 100% of the study participants had heard of modern family methods before. 94.48% of them had knowledge of at least one modern contraceptive method. The most known contraceptive method was the injectable identified by 94.48%, and second to this was the male condom recognized by 93.45% of the women. The most utilized method was the injectable accounting for 49.96% among contraceptive users, and next to this was the implant adopted by 30.3% of users. Top most reasons cited for patronizing modern contraceptive among users included: birth spacing (45.5%), preventing unwanted pregnancy (34.8%), and limiting the number of children (21.2%). Conversely, reasons cited for non-utilization among the 224 non-users were: fear of side effects cited by 56.3%, religious belief (26.3%), desire for male child (8.5%) and spousal/partner disapproval (6.7%). Parity was the only socio-demographic factor that was found to be significantly associated with contraceptive use. Conclusion Modern contraceptive utilization in the Ashaiman Municipality is low and similar to the national prevalence in spite of the universal knowledge. Parity was only the socio-demographic predictor of modern contraceptive use. Fear of side effects was the major reason found for non-utilization of modern contraceptives. Therefore, efforts should be taken by the various stakeholders to help improve or remedy this situation. Key Words: Factors, Utilization, Modern Contraceptives, St Florence Clinic, Ashaiman Municipality, Family Planning.