Long Acting Reversible Contraception use among postpartum women in Hossana Town, Southern Ethiopia: cross sectional study

Background: In low and middle-income countries, 95% of postpartum women want to avoid a pregnancy for 2 years, but 70% are not using contraception. Delay in use of contraception by couples during postpartum period can result in many unwanted pregnancies. Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is ideal for postpartum women. Therefore this study aimed at assessing the prevalence and factors associated with LARC use among postpartum women. Methods: Facility based cross sectional study was conducted among 381 women in extended postpartum period visiting Child Immunization service in hosanna health institutions. Pretested structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 20. Binary and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done. The presence and strength of association was determined using AOR with its 95% CI. Variables with P value less than 0.05 were considered as statistical significant. Results: Less than one fifth (18.1%) of participants intend to give birth within 2 years. The prevalence of LARC use was 36.5% (95%CI (33.05-39.95)). The main reason for not using was fear of side effect and false information. Previous use of LARC n (AOR=3.3, 95%CI (1.7-6.5)) and have ever discussed with health providers on LARC (AOR=2.5, 95%CI (1.1-5.74)) were found to be significantly associated with LARC use. Conclusions: Despite their lesser intention to give birth within 2 years, the utilization of LARC among postpartum women was found to be low in this study. Provision of health education and expanding access should be emphasized to enhance its utilization.


Background
After one-time placement of a device, Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods provide reliable long-term highly effective prevention of pregnancy. LARC methods include subdermal hormonal implant and Intra-Uterine Devices (hormonal IUDs and non-hormonal copper-containing IUDs) [1]. Regardless of considerable advances in contraceptive technologies, unintended pregnancies remain a significant global public health issue. In developing countries 214 million reproductive age women who desire to avoid pregnancy are not using a modern contraceptive method [2][3]. Modern contraceptive use has increased around the world. However, less than 15 percent of married women of reproductive age use a modern method in many of the poorest countries. The use of LARC among modern contraception users is still low [4]. In Ethiopia, among 35% of currently married women using a modern family planning only 10% use LARC (8%-Implants & 2%-IUD) [5]. Different studies conducted in Ethiopia also indicated lower prevalence of LARC use [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13].
Utilization of LARC was found to have significant association with women's socio-demographic and reproductive characteristics. Knowledge, attitude and previous LARCs use was also found to have significant association with its use [13][14][15][16][17][18].
In the first year after childbirth, 95% of women in low and middle-income countries want to avoid pregnancy within the next 2 years; however 70% are not using contraception. Delay in practice of contraception by couples during postpartum period can result in many unwanted or mistimed pregnancies. A woman conceives within/less than 24 months of delivery has higher chances of complications like abortions, pre-term labor, low birth weight babies, postpartum hemorrhage, neonatal morbidity and mortality [19]. LARC methods are safe for almost all women, including those in a postpartum period. As they do not contain estrogen and have few contraindications, they are ideal for use in postpartum women [20]. Postpartum period is one of the important and crucial times when women and couples are highly motivated and receptive to family planning methods. The intention to use contraceptive during postpartum period is significantly higher especially after 45 days of delivery.
However their intention towards LARC is very low. Study on LARC use among postnatal women is lacking in the study area. Therefore the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with LARC use among postpartum women which has paramount important to design and implement appropriate and feasible programs. teaching referral hospital and 3 health centers in the town which provide family planning service including LARC. Women in extended postpartum period visiting child immunization service in the four health institutions during the study period were eligible for enrollment. Those women who are unable to speak or hear were excluded from the study. Sample size was calculated using single population proportion formula by taking account of Proportion of LARC use 36.7% [7], CI = 95% Margin of error = 5% and 10% non-response rate. A total of 392 postpartum women were invited to participate.

Sampling technique
Systematic random sampling technique was employed to select participants. The total number of women who visit child Immunization (N) was estimated by considering the immediate previous 1 month record of EPI chart. Then number of sampling intervals (k) was determined by dividing N by sample size (n = 392). Then lottery method was used to select the first participant. Then after every 3rd unit was included until the required sample reached. In case of refusal or not meeting inclusion criteria, the next person was selected. The sample size for each institution was distributed proportionally.

Data collection
Data were collected using pretested, interviewer administered structured questionnaire. The data collection tool prepared in English was translated in to Amharic and then returned back to English to ensure accuracy. Before the actual data collection, Pre-test was done on 5% women in a health center located outside the town and necessary corrections made accordingly. Four trained diploma midwives collected the data supervised by one BSc midwife. Completeness of the questionnaires was checked on the spot by supervisors.

Measurement
LARC use was defined as utilization of any of LARCs (IUD or subdermal hormonal implant) at any times between delivery and data collection.
The mean score was used to categorize women's knowledge towards LARC; women who scored above mean score were considered to have good knowledge and women who scored below the mean were considered to have poor knowledge. Women's attitude towards LARC was categorized in the same approach. Those women who scored above the mean were considered to have positive attitude and scored below the mean considered to have negative attitude towards LARC.

Data analysis
Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics were computed. Binary logistic regression analysis was done and all explanatory variables with p value less than 0.2 were entered to Multivariate logistic regression model. The second analytical step used a stepwise backward model.
Then association was assessed using AOR and its 95%CI. And p value of < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Goodness of model fitness was tested by using Hosmer and Lemeshow test.

Results
Data were analyzed from 381 women, making response rate of 97.1%. Mean age of participants were 27(SD ± 4.6). Majority of participants were urban resident (89%). Less than one fifth of respondents attend diploma and above (17.1%). Half of the women were housewife (50.4%) ( Table 1).   Factors associated with LARC use Previous LARC use and ever discussed with Health Professionals on LARC were found to be significantly associated with LARC use. Those women who have ever used LARC before were 3.3 times more likely to use LARC on postpartum period (AOR = 3.3, 95%CI(1.7-6.5). Postpartum women who have ever discussed with health professionals on LARC were 2.5 times more likely to use LARC (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI (1.1-5.7)) ( Table 4).

Discussion
In this study the prevalence of LARC use among postpartum women was found to be 36.5% (95%CI (33.05-39.95)), which is similar with a study done in Durame [13]. However it is higher than a study in Areka [9]. The difference can be due to variation in participants' characteristics and future fertility intention which is higher in Areka [9] that might necessitate preference of short acting contraception.
It is also higher than a study in Arba Minch. That might be due to difference on participants' attitude towards LARC which can contribute to low utilization of LARC [7].
Majority of LARC users opted for Implant(93.5%) and very few used IUCD(6.5%). Which is consistent with different studies [6,14] where strong preference for implants over IUD were observed. These can be due to prevailing misinformation towards IUCD.
The main reason for not using LARC was fear of side effect (39.3%) followed by false information towards LARC (it cause harm to uterus and infertility, interfere work, fly/lost in the body)(21.9%) which is consistent with other study [8]. This indicates the need of community health education and awareness creation programs.
In this study previous LARC use was found to be significantly associated with postpartum LARC use (AOR = 3.34 (1.70-6.55)). Similar finding were indicated by other studies [11,13]. The possible explanation can be women possibly will have adequate information on the contraception method they used before, which can motivate them to use the same method repetitively.
Those women who ever discussed with health professionals on LARC were found to be more likely to use LARC (AOR = 2.569(1.148-5.7470)). It is in line with another study [6]. This can possibly explained by the fact that access to clear factual information on the benefits and limitations of contraceptive methods is imperative to promote informed choice and to overcome misperceptions and myths more broadly perpetuated in the community.

Limitation
Quantitative nature of the study hinders indepth exploration of women's perception and barrieres for LARC use.

Conclusion
Despite their lesser intention to give birth within 2 years, the utilization of LARC among postpartum women was found to be low in this study. The main reason for not using LARC was fear of side effect and false information. Further qualitative studies need to be conducted to identify barrier for LARC use, mainly IUCD.

Ethics approval and consent to participate
Ethical approval was obtained from wachemo university ethical review committee. Cooperation letter submitted to health institutions. The objective, benefit and risks of the study were explained and informed written consent obtained from all respondents. The attainment of confidentiality was assured for participants.

Availability of data and materials
The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.