POST-PARTUM CONTRACEPTIVE UTILIZATION AMONG MOTHERS ATTENDING POST-NATAL CARE IN BINGHAM UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, JOS, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

POST-PARTUM CONTRACEPTIVE UTILIZATION AMONG MOTHERS ATTENDING POST-NATAL CARE IN BINGHAM UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, JOS, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

Isah HO*, Akumka SS, Yahaya RM, Ilevbare MO, Agada SO

Department of Community Medicine and Primary Health Care, Bingham University, New Karu, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Afr. J Pharm Res Dev; Volume 11(1): 058-065 ; 2019

ABSTRACT

 Postpartum period is wrought with challenges for the mother and characterized by body’s reversal to pre-pregnancy state. One significant feature is the resumption of sexual activity by mothers, with risk of unintended pregnancy, which jeopardizes the mother’s health and well-being of the infant. It is important for appropriate remedial measures that ensure adequate spacing of pregnancies for the benefit of mother and baby, and the entire family. This study seeks to determine post-partum contraceptive uptake among mothers and factors that influence the use of contraception amongst this population. A cross-sectional descriptive study carried out among 184 mothers attending post-natal clinic in Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos, capital of Plateau State, Nigeria, to determine their post-partum contraceptive uptake. Post-partum contraceptive use rate was 42.4% with the commonest methods being condom (24.4%), implant (17.9%), natural/cyclical (14.1), injectable (11.5%), IUCD (10.3%) and oral pills (10.3%).  Respondents’ post-partum contraceptive use was found to be associated with their occupational status (pV = 0.0396) and husbands/partners’ educational status (pV = 0.0003), indicating their occupational status and spousal/partner’s educational status as positive influence in uptake. Therefore, there is the need to actively encourage partner’s support in MCH service uptake by women

 Email of correspondence:harounisah@yahoo.co.uk

KEYWORDS:   Post-Partum, Contraceptive Use, Nigeria