TITLE:
The Use of Modern Contraception after Childbirth in an Urban Health Center in Bangui, CAR
AUTHORS:
Rodrigue Herman Doyama-Woza, Thibaut Boris Clavaire Songo-Kette Gbekere, Kely Matike-Ayamboka Mbano-Dede, Yacka Jésus Bendot-Gueguet, Christelle Gina Lemotomo Niamathé, Saint Calvaire Henri Diemer, Richard Norbert Ngbale, Gérard Grésenguet
KEYWORDS:
Contraception, Post-Partum, CSU-Castors
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Sexual Medicine,
Vol.14 No.4,
October
31,
2024
ABSTRACT: Introduction: The use of modern postpartum contraception not only reduces unplanned pregnancies but also improves the well-being of mother and child. The present study aims to identify the determinants of postpartum contraceptive use in a first level health facility. Methodology: This was a 6-month cross-sectional study conducted at the Urban Health Center of Castors. Postpartum women who presented within 42 days of delivery and who had a live child were included after informed consent. Results: Of 318 women enrolled during the study period, 106 were currently using a modern contraceptive method, for a prevalence of 33.3%. The mean age of the women was 25.3 years (±3.6), with extremes of 14 and 49 years. The age group [20 to 29] was the most represented with 52.8%. More than half of the women were in couples (54.7%) and had completed secondary education (53.8%). These women were mostly students (42.5%) and primiparous or pauciparous (70.7%). The most used contraceptive method was injectables (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate) (43.4%), followed by male condoms (23.6%) and oral contraceptives (17.9%). The unmet need for contraception was 40.6%. The main reasons for non-use were the desire to have more children (41.5%), fear of side effects (34.9%) and spousal opposition (12.3%). Factors associated with contraceptive non-use were educational level, occupation and parity. Conclusions: The rate of modern contraceptive use in the postpartum period is low in the study population. Interventions to increase the use of effective contraceptive methods are needed, especially among young women.