Modern contraceptive use among adolescent girls and young women in Benin: a mixed-methods study

Abstract

ObjectivesThe study aimed to assess the determinants of modern contraceptive method use among young women in Benin.DesignA mixed-methods design.Setting and participantsWe used the Benin 2017–2018 Demographic and Health Survey datasets for quantitative analysis. Data collection was conducted using multiple-cluster sampling method and through household survey. Qualitative part was conducted in the city of Allada, one of the Fon cultural capitals in Benin. The participants were purposively selected.OutcomesContraceptive prevalence rate, unmet need for modern method and percentage of demand satisfied by a modern method for currently married and sexually active unmarried women were measured in the quantitative part. Access barriers and utilisation of modern methods were assessed in the qualitative part.ResultsOverall, 8.5% (95% CI 7.7% to 9.5%) among young women ages 15–24 were using modern contraceptives and 13% (12.1% to 14.0%) among women ages 25 or more. Women 15–24 had a higher unmet need, and a lower demand satisfied by modern contraceptive methods compared with women ages 25 or more. 60.8% (56.9% to 64.7%) of all unmarried young women had unmet need for modern contraceptives. Young women were more likely to use male condoms which they obtain mainly from for-profit outlets, pharmacies and relatives. The factors associated with demand satisfied by a modern method were literacy, being unmarried, knowing a greater number of modern contraceptive methods and experiencing barriers in access to health services. On the other hand, the qualitative study found that barriers to using modern methods include community norms about pre-marital sexual intercourse, perceptions about young women’s fertility, spousal consent and the use of non-modern contraceptives.ConclusionContraceptive use is low among young women in Benin. The use of modern contraceptives is influenced by sociodemographic factors and social norms. Appropriate interventions might promote comprehensive sexuality education, increase community engagement, provide youth-friendly services and address gender inequalities.

Perceived Susceptibility to Pregnancy, Contraceptive Use and Associated Factors Among College Female Students in Fitche Town, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2022

“…Unmarried respondents were more likely to use contraceptive methods than married respondents. This is in line with a previous national survey conducted in Ethiopia(18), a study conducted in the Amhara region among female university students (34), and among adolescent girls and young women in Benin (24); however, this is not similar to the study conducted in Gondar town among female college students (35) and Dilla town secondary and preparatory schools (19), as well as a community-based study conducted in the Tigray region among female students, which showed that contraceptive use among married respondents is more likely to use contraceptive methods than unmarried respondents(36).…”

Utilisation of modern contraceptives by sexually active adolescent girls in Rwanda: a nationwide cross-sectional study

“…Contraceptive use among adolescents was very low (17.4%), similar to Mali (17.1%) [ 28 ], but higher than Uganda (9.4%) [ 6 ], Benin (8.5%) [ 29 ], Nigeria (14.8%) [ 30 ], Nepal (11.9%) [ 31 ] and Zambia (12%) [ 32 ], according to previous studies. Nonetheless, the Government of Rwanda has put considerable efforts in family planing and reducing unwanted pregnancies as part of its 2030 Family Planing country commitment agenda.…”

Utilisation of modern contraceptives by sexually active adolescent girls in Rwanda: a nationwide cross-sectional study

“…Compared to the rst analysis of only sexually active adolescents, sensitivity analysis results clearly indicate that modern contraceptive use increases with age, a signi cant trend noted in age groups of 17, 18 and 19 years (Table 4). [29], Nigeria (14.8%) [30], and Nepal (11.9%) [31], according to previous studies. This low uptake could be a result of various factors, including a lack of awareness and limited sex education in schools and households, poor access to services, misconceptions regarding contraceptive effects on reproduction, and negative cultural implications [32,33].…”