Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
Reproductive Health
Published in: Reproductive Health 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research

Determinants of modern family planning use among women of reproductive age in the Nkwanta district of Ghana: a case–control study

Authors: Sebastian Eliason, John K Awoonor-Williams, Cecilia Eliason, Jacob Novignon, Justice Nonvignon, Moses Aikins

Published in: Reproductive Health | Issue 1/2014

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Average contraceptive prevalence rate in the Nkwanta district of Ghana was estimated to be 6.2% relative to the national average at the time, of 19%. While several efforts had been made to improve family planning in the country, the district still had very low use of modern family planning methods. This study sought to determine the factors that influenced modern family planning use in general and specifically, the factors that determined the consistently low use of modern family planning methods in the district.

Methods

A case–control study was conducted in the Nkwanta district of Ghana to determine socio-economic, socio-cultural and service delivery factors influencing family planning usage. One hundred and thirty cases and 260 controls made up of women aged 15–49 years were interviewed using structured questionnaires. A logistic regression was fitted.

Results

Awareness and knowledge of modern family planning methods were high among cases and controls (over 90%). Lack of formal education among women, socio-cultural beliefs and spousal communication were found to influence modern family planning use. Furthermore, favourable opening hours of the facilities and distance to health facilities influenced the use of modern contraceptives.

Conclusion

While modern family planning seemed to be common knowledge among these women, actual use of such contraceptives was limited. There is need to improve use of modern family planning methods in the district. In addition to providing health facilities and consolidating close-to-client service initiatives in the district, policies directed towards improving modern family planning method use need to consider the influence of formal education. Promoting basic education, especially among females, will be a crucial step as the district is faced with high levels of school dropout and illiteracy rates.
Literature
1.
Cates W, Abdool Karim Q, El-Sadr W, Haffner DW, Kalema-Zikusoka G, Rogo K, Petruney T, Averill EMD: Global development. Family planning and the millennium development goals. Science. 2010, 329: 1603-10.1126/science.1197080.CrossRefPubMed
2.
Crossette B: Reproductive health and the millennium development goals: the missing link. Stud Fam Plann. 2005, 36: 71-79. 10.1111/j.1728-4465.2005.00042.x.CrossRefPubMed
3.
Sachs JD, McArthur JW: The millennium project: a plan for meeting the millennium development goals. Lancet. 2005, 365: 347-353. 10.1016/S0140-6736(05)17791-5.CrossRefPubMed
4.
Cleland J, Bernstein S, Ezeh A, Faundes A, Glasier A, Innis J: Family planning. The unfinished agenda. Lancet. 2006, 368 (9549): 1810-1827. 10.1016/S0140-6736(06)69480-4.CrossRefPubMed
5.
Rutstien SO: Further evidence of the effects of preceding birth intervals on neonatal, infant, and under-five years mortality and nutritional. Calverton, Maryland: Macro International, MEASURE DHS, 2008 Sep. [86] p. (DHS Working Papers No. 41; USAID Contract No. GPO-C-00-03-00002-00),http://​www.​popline.​org/​node/​209750,
6.
Stover J, Ross J: How increased contraceptive use has reduced maternal mortality. Matern Child Health J. 2010, 14 (5): 687-695. 10.1007/s10995-009-0505-y.CrossRefPubMed
7.
Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition: Make a case for supplies, leading voices in securing reproductive health supplies. An Advocacy Guide and Toolkit. 2009, Brussels: Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition
8.
Population Reference bureau: World population data sheet. Popul Bull. 2009, 2009 (64): 3-
9.
Singh S, Daroch JE, Ashford LS, Vlassoff M: Adding It Up: The Costs and Benefits of Investing in Family Planning and Maternal and Newborn Health. 2009, New York: Guttmacher Institute and United Nations Population Fund
10.
Speidel J, Sinding S, Gillespie D, Maguire E, Neuse M: Making the Case for US. International Family Planning Assistance. 2009, Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Bill and Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health
11.
Jabeen M, Gul F, Wazil F, Javed N: Knowledge, attitudes and practices of contraception in women of reproductive age. Gomal J Med Sci. 2011, 9: 2-
12.
13.
Arbab A, Bener A, Abdulmalik M: Prevalence, awareness and determinants of contraceptive use in Qatari women. East Mediterr Health J. 2011, 17: 1-
14.
15.
16.
Bbaale E, Mpuga P: Female education, contraceptive use and fertility: evidence from Uganda: Consilience. J Sustain Develop. 2011, 6 (1): 20-47.
17.
18.
Sharan M, Valente TW: Spousal communication of family planning adoption. Effects of a radio drama series in Nepal. Int Fam Plan Perspect. 2002, 28 (1): 16-25. 10.2307/3088271.CrossRef
19.
Ghana Statistical Service: Report of the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey 2008. 2009, Accra, Ghana and Claverton, USA: Ghana Statistical Service
20.
Awoonor-Williams JK, Feinglass FS, Tibey R, Vaughan-Smith MN, Nyonator F, Jones TC, Philips JF: “Bridging the gap between Evidence-based Innovation and National Health Sector Reform in Ghana.”. Population Policy Research Division Working Paper 2004 No. 191.22. 1999
21.
Ghana Health Service: Annual report 1999–2004 Nkwanta district; 1999. 2004
22.
Ghana Statistical Service: Report of the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey 2003. 2004, Accra: Ghana Statistical Service
23.
Lemeshow S, Hosmer DW, Clar J, Lwanga SK: Adequacy of sample size in health studies. 1990, John Wiley and Sons
24.
Mahmood N, Ringheim K: Factors affecting contraceptive use in Pakistan. Pak Dev Rev. 1996, 35 (1): 1-22.PubMed
25.
Mahmood N, Ringheim K: Knowledge, approval and communication about family planning as correlates of desired fertility among spouses in Pakistan. Int Fam Plan Perspect. 1997, 23 (3): 122-129. 10.2307/2950768.CrossRef
26.
Pasha O, Fikree FF, Vermund S: Determinants of unmet need for family planning in squatters settlements in Karachi, Pakistan. Asia-Pacific Popul J. 2001, 2 (16): 93-108.
27.
28.
Ikechebelu JI, Joe-Ikechebelu NN, Obiajulu FN: Knowledge, attitude and practice of family planning among Igbo women of south-eastern Nigeria. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2005, 25 (8): 792-795. 10.1080/01443610500328231. doi:10.1080/01443610500328231CrossRefPubMed
29.
Ghana Statistical Service: Ghana Demographic and Health Survey 1998. 1999, Accra, Ghana and Claverton, USA: Ghana Statistical Service
30.
Mensch B: Using situation analysis data to assess the function of family planning clinics in Nigeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Stud Fam Plann. 1994, 1 (25): 18-31.CrossRef
31.
Beekle AT, McCabe C: Awareness and determinants of family planning practice in Jimma, Ethiopia. Int Nurs Rev. 2006, 53 (4): 269-276. 10.1111/j.1466-7657.2006.00492.x.CrossRefPubMed
32.
Magadi MK, Madise NJ, Rodrigues RN: Frequency and timing of antenatal care in Kenya: explaining the variations between women of different communities. Soc Sci Med. 2000, 51: 551-561. 10.1016/S0277-9536(99)00495-5.CrossRefPubMed
33.
Addai I: Demographic and socio-cultural factors influencing use of maternal health services in Ghana. Afr J Reprod Health. 1998, 1 (2): 73-80.
34.
Bhatia J, Cleland J: Determinants of maternal care in a region of south India. Health Transit Rev. 1995, 5: 127-142.
Metadata
Title
Determinants of modern family planning use among women of reproductive age in the Nkwanta district of Ghana: a case–control study
Authors
Sebastian Eliason
John K Awoonor-Williams
Cecilia Eliason
Jacob Novignon
Justice Nonvignon
Moses Aikins
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Reproductive Health / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1742-4755
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-4755-11-65

Other articles of this Issue 1/2014

Reproductive Health 1/2014 Go to the issue

Research

Increasing incidence of pregnancy among women receiving HIV care and treatment at a large urban facility in western Uganda

Research

Assessment of adolescents’ communication on sexual and reproductive health matters with parents and associated factors among secondary and preparatory schools’ students in Debremarkos town, North West Ethiopia

Research

Perspectives of professionals participating in the Brazilian Network for the Surveillance of Severe Maternal Morbidity regarding the implementation of routine surveillance: a qualitative study

Research

Fertility intentions among HIV positive women aged 18–49 years in Addis Ababa Ethiopia: a cross sectional study

Research

Intention to use long acting and permanent contraceptive methods and factors affecting it among married women in Adigrat town, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Research

Conscientious objection and its impact on abortion service provision in South Africa: a qualitative study