Abstract:
Background: Long-acting reversible contraceptive is birth control that provides for at least
two years.Non-use of contraception by couples during postpartum period can result in many
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unwanted pregnancies, social and economic consequences. Despite multiple impacts, limited
studies are conducted on the prevalence of long- acting reversible contraceptive use and its
associated factor among extended postpartum women in the study area.
Objective: This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of long acting reversible
contraceptive methods use and its associated factors among extended postpartum women in
the public hospitals at East Hararghe zone, Eastern Ethiopia, from May 1 to 31, 2020.
Methods:Institution based cross-sectional study design was used. All Public Hospitals of East
Haraghe Zone were selected. A total sample size of this study was determined to be
614.Systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data were
collected from sytudy subjects using pretested semi-structured face to -face interview guided
questionnaire. The data was entered and cleaned by Epi data (Version 3.1). Datawas analyzed
using descriptive statistics and logistic regression, to identify factor associated with long acting reversible contraceoptives methods utilization and the result is presented using the
crude odds ratio, as well as Adjusted odds ratio with thecorresponding 95% confidence level.
Results: The prevalence of Long-acting reversible contraceptive was 33%.Educational level
of women’s (AOR=11.32, 95%CI: 4.672-27.393), Postpartum counseling (AOR=3.648,
95%CI: 1.88-7.08), prior experience of using LARC (AOR=7, 95%CI: 3.79-15.202)
anddiscussion with husbands about LARC (AOR=2.75, 95%CI: 1.56-4.84) were positively
associated with the use of Long-acting reversible contraceptive methods.
Conclusions:Utilization of Long-acting reversible contraception among extended postpartum
women in East Hararghe Zone was low. This might be related to low achievements of womens
educational level and councelling. Strengthening councelling and improving women
educational status are crucial steps to enhanced LARC use among extended postpartum
women.
