Timely initiation of postpartum contraceptive utilization and associated factors among women of child bearing age in Aroressa District, Southern Ethiopia: a community based cross-sectional study.

Background: Globally, more than 90% of women during the first year of postpartum period want to either delay or avoid future pregnancies. The first year postpartum period is more crucial time to use modern contraceptives that enhance maternal and child health, so more attention should be given on time of initiating modern contraceptive utilization after delivery. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the magnitude and associated factors of timely initiation of postpartum contraceptive utilization among women of child bearing age in Aroressa district, Southern Ethiopia.

Methods: The study was conducted in Aroressa district from March 15 to April 15, 2017. A community based cross-sectional study design with interviewer administered structured and pretested questionnaire was used. Multistage sampling technique was employed involving a total of 695 women of child bearing age who delivered a child in the past 12 months prior to the study period. Data were cleaned, coded and entered into Epi data version 3.1, then exported to statistical package for social science version 20 for analysis. Descriptive statistics, Bivariate and Multivariate logistic regression analysis were done. p-value < 0.05 was used to consider significant variables.

Results: The magnitude of timely initiation of postpartum contraceptive utilization was found to be 31.7% [95% CI (28, 36)]. Antenatal care [AOR = 1.94, 95% CI (1.23, 3.01)], postnatal care [AOR = 1.90, 95%CI (1.23, 2.94)], spousal communication on contraceptive methods [AOR = 1.63, 95% CI (1.09, 2.41)] and resumption of menses after delivery [AOR = 2.6, 95% CI (1.47, 3.81)] were predictors positively associated with timely initiation of postpartum contraceptive utilization.

Conclusion: The magnitude of timely initiation of postpartum contraceptive utilization was low. Strengthening integration of family planning information with antenatal and postnatal care follow up and encouraging spousal communication by promoting information, education and communication activities is important to enhance contraceptive use on timely manner.