Determinants of contraceptive continuation among women in sub-Saharan Africa

Contraceptive continuation is an important factor that has significant implications on total fertility rates and reproductive health outcomes, like unintended pregnancies. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the factors that influence women’s decision to continue the use of contraceptives. The present study examined the determinants of contraceptive continuation among women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Data for the study were extracted from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) of twenty-four (24) countries in SSA. Descriptive and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis were conducted. Frequencies, percentanges, and an adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals were used to present the results.

Compared to adolescents, adult women aged 45–49 years [aOR: 1.24; CI: 1.13–1.37] had higher odds of contraceptive continuation. The odds of contraceptive continuation were lower among those working [aOR: 0.96; CI: 0.93–0.98] compared to those not working. Also, the study shows that the likelihood of contraceptive continuation was lower among those exposed to family planning messages compared to those not exposed [aOR: 0.91; CI: 0.88–0.93]. Compared to women who used LARCs, women who used pills [aOR: 0.34; CI: 0.33–0.36], injectable [aOR: 0.42; CI: 0.40–0.43], other modern contraceptives [aOR: 0.72; CI: 0.68–0.75] or traditional methods [aOR: 0.50; CI: 0.478–0.523] were less likely to continue with their contraception. Women with one birth [aOR: 0.86; CI: 0.83–0.90] and those with 2 + births in the last five years [aOR: 0.54; CI: 0.512–0.56] reported lower odds of contraceptive continuation as compared to those with no births. Compared to women with no children living, those with 4 + children living had lower odds of contraceptive continuation [aOR: 0.62; CI: 0.57–0.67]. The study also found that the likelihood of contraceptive continuation was higher among those with secondary education [aOR: 1.08; CI: 1.04–1.12] as compared to those with no formal education. Contraceptive continuation was also higher among those who have information on choice [aOR: 3.91; CI: 3.82–4.01], and also higher among those who were undecided about having an additional child [aOR: 1.39; CI: 1.33–1.46]. Compared to West AfricaAngola, women from all other sub-regions were less likely to continue using contraceptives Comoros were more likely to continue with contraception [aOR: 1.49; CI: 1.24–1.78].

To improve contraceptive continuation among women of reproductive age, countries in SSA must invest heavily in advocacy and dissemination of family planning messages, and information of choice. Also, much commitment should be directed towards enhancing the use of long-acting reversible contraceptive use.