UPTAKE OF LONG-ACTING REVERSIBLE CONTRACEPTIVES (LARCs) AND FACTORS INFLUENCING USE AMONG WOMEN VISITING HEALTH FACILITIES IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA
NNEKA UCHENNA IGBOELI*, EZINWANNE UGOCHUKWU, OKENNA FRANCIS UZOETO
Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Management, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Afr. J Pharm Res Dev; Volume 14(2): 135-144 ; 2022
ABSTRACT
Maternal morbidity and infant mortality are two major public health issues affecting developing nations. Long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods can substantially reduce the high levels of unwanted pregnancy as well as maternal mortality and morbidity, especially in developing countries. The study evaluated uptake of LARC and the factors influencing their use among women visiting family planning clinics in Enugu State. A three-year retrospective review of clients’ family planning unit records at three facilities – a primary, a secondary, and a tertiary health institution, all in Enugu State. The descriptive statistics of the information regarding their obstetrics, socio-demographic, and comorbid conditions, as well as their history of using contraceptives, were conducted using SPSS version 20. To identify variables influencing LARC uptake, inferential statistics (Chi-square) was used. The significance threshold was set at p < 0.05. Of the 1127 women data retrieved from the daily hospital records, 642 (68.0%) were taking LARCs, while the other 302 (32.0%) were taking non-LARCs. The facility (p=0.001), referral (p=0.006), life birth category (p=0.023), mode of delivery (p=0.006), and intention for more children (p=0.008) were found to be significantly associated with the use of LARCs. The use of LARC in this research setting was encouraging and several factors were associated with the use of LARC. Family planning services still need to be strengthened, while bringing to bear every strategy that can contribute to improving its uptake.
Email of correspondence: nneka.igboeli@unn.edu.ng;
KEYWORDS: Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs); Family planning; Nigeria; Health facilities.