Factors Associated with Long-acting Reversible Contraceptive Use in the Immediate Postpartum Period in Ethiopia

Background: Factors influencing commitments to postpartum family planning such as the use of reversible contraceptives taken immediately after childbirth (within 10 minutes to 48 hours) have not been adequately studied. This study aims at contributing towards evidence, based on factors that influence long-acting reversible contraceptives use during immediate postpartum period among women who delivered in health facilities. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to collect quantitative data from a sample of 884 women who delivered in selected health centers during 12 months prior to the survey. Women who delivered in the facility were traced by community health workers and interviewed in their homes with the communities. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (graph and table) and logistic regressions with 95% confidence intervals was computed using Stata version 14. Results: Immediate postpartum contraceptive use among women who delivered in studied health facilities was 39%, while 36% used LARC. The study found that prior postpartum family planning information (AOR=0.46, 95% CI, 0.30-0.71) and counselling (AOR=0.23, 95% CI, 0.14-0.37), staying in a health facility maternity waiting homes before delivery (AOR=0.67, 95% CI, 0.49-0.91), and getting child immunization services (AOR=0.38, 95% CI, 0.21-0.67), were significantly associated with immediate postpartum LARC use. Conclusion: Immediate use of long-acting reversible counteractive after childbirth was influenced by different factors such as family planning information and counselling, staying in maternity waiting homes before delivery and getting child immunization services. Stakeholders working in family planning programs need further investigation about why women prefer long-acting reversible counteractive following a childbirth in health facilities.