Abstract:
Background: Long-acting reversible contraceptive methods are known to be convenience, cost
effective and suitable for many women. Despite the Ethiopian government’s emphasis on the
provision of long-acting contraceptive methods, little attention has been paid to the study of its
discontinuation; particularly, no study has been reported in the study area.Thus, this study aimed
to assess the discontinuation of long-acting reversible contraceptives and associated factors among
reproductive-age women in Anchar district, Eastern Ethiopia, 2023.
Objective: The study is aimed to assess discontinuation of Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive
methods and associated factors among reproductive age women in Anchar District, Eastern
Ethiopia, from March 15 to April 15, 2023.
Methods and materials: Community based cross-sectional study was employed in Anchar
district among randomly selected 442 women ever used Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive
methods. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Logistic regression model was used
to identify predictors and the result was presented using the Odd ratio as well as Adjusted Odd
ratio with the corresponding 95% CI at P value of <0.05
Results: The overall proportion of reversible long-acting contraceptive discontinuation was
183(42.6%) with 95%CI (38, 47). The median time of discontinuation was 10.8 months
(95%CI:9.5,12.2). Maternal education at primary level (AOR=2.4 95%CI (1.1, 4.9)), lack of
counseling about effectiveness of long-acting reversible contraceptives (AOR=2.7, 95%CI: 1.1,
6.5), women who had no listened radio about contraceptive (AOR=4.7, 95%CI: 1.9, 11.4) were
the major factors in discontinuation of long-acting reversible contraceptive. On the other hand,
women who have no intention to pregnancy in the next 12 months had (AOR=0.28,95%CI: (0.14,
0.56) and women started sex after18 years (AOR= .38 95% CI: 0.23,0.63)had lower odds of
discontinuing long acting reversible contraceptive method.
Conclusion: In this study, discontinuation rate of long-acting reversible contraceptives was high. Younger
age,exposure of mass media, early initition of sex, lack of counselling and influenced by service provider
on choose of method were the key factors associated with discontinuation of the contraceptives.
