Journal of Reproductive Health and Contraception

Abstract

Background: The contraceptive prevalence of 17% in Nigeria is low. Concerted effort is being made by the various stake-holders, including exploring post partum family planning, to increasethe contraceptive uptake. Emphasis on Post Partum Contraception (PPC), especially in the immediate post period, will improve our contraceptive prevalence rate.

Objective: To determine the level of awarenessand willingness to use post partum contraception by antenatal attendees of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), South-South Nigeria.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional questionnaire based study in consenting antenatal attendees of the UPTH.  Pretested questionnaire were administered on the respondents by trained assistants. Their socio-demographic data and information on their awareness and willingness to use post partum contraception were entered into excel spread sheet and analyzed with SPSS version 20.0. Chi-square test of variables were done and P<0.05 was taken as statistically significant. The results were presented in tables of frequencies and percentages.

Results: Two hundred and seventy one antenatal attendees of the UPTH participated in this study. Their mean parity was 2.65 with a standard deviated of 1.25 of the total number of respondents, 269(99.26%) had at least a secondary education, 156 were aware of post partum contraception; giving a prevalence of 57.56%. Two hundred and six (76.01%) expressed willingness to use post partum contraception if counselled and offered. Husbands support for the use of contraception was 69.37%.

Conclusion: The awareness for post partum contraception in the UPTH antenatal attendees was average. However, the expression of willingness to use this method of contraception was high.