Women's knowledge, preferences, and practices of modern contraceptive methods in Woreta, Ethiopia

Background: Inadequate family planning services are problematic in Ethiopia. Understanding determinants in contraceptive methods use may be instructive in the design of interventions to improve family planning outcomes. Objectives: To assess determinants of preferences, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of modern contraception among women of reproductive age in Woreta town. Methods: A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in Woreta town, South Gondar zone, Ethiopia in April 2007. A multistage sampling procedure was carried out to interview 400 women in the study area. A pretested structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: Eighty-nine percent of respondents were aware of modern contraceptives. Among respondents, 88% knew of at least 2 methods, and 12% knew only I method. More than 90% of respondents reported positive attitudes toward modern contraceptive use. The major reasons for nonuse of modern contraceptive methods (MCMs) were being single and a desire for more children. Injectables were the most commonly preferred modern contraceptive (63.2%) followed by oral contraceptive pill (21.2%). Few women reported a preference for the use of condoms (9.5%) or implants (6.1%). Conclusions: Respondents reported at least modest knowledge of MCMs; however, the results suggest a need for improving accessibility and education among women in this section of Ethiopia. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.