OVERVIEW OF CONTRACEPTIVE USE IN JOS UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

Background: Modem contraceptive methods accepted by 17,846 new clients in Jos University Teaching Hospital, a tertiary health institution, over two decades are presented. Methods: This was a review of the contraceptive trend in new clients who used the various methods of contraception over an 18-year period, 1985-2002. Results: The accepted methods were the intrauterine device (26.1%), oral contraceptive pills (23.5%), female sterilization (21.7%), the Injectable (14.2%), male condom (9.5%), Norplant implants (4.9%) and vasectomy (0.1%). Reversible methods were used by 78.2% and the permanent forms by 21.8%. The women were the acceptors of the methods in 90.5%, while men contributed only 9.5% of the new acceptors. Ten men only had vasectomy over the period of study. Conclusion: The Intrauterine device was the leading method of contraception accepted by the women and male vasectomy was the least accepted by men. There is the need for increased male involvement in contraceptive issues.