Patterns and determinants of modern contraceptive use and intention to usecontraceptives among Malawian women of reproductive ages (15–49 years)

Abstract

Background Malawi is one of the countries in SSA with the highest TFR. This study aimed to explore factors associated with modern contraceptive use and intention to use contraceptives among women of reproductive ages (15–49 years) in Malawi. Methods The study used secondary data from 2015 to 16 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS) dataset. Logistic regression models were used to derive adjusted odd ratios as the measures of association between need, predisposing and enabling factors, and contraceptive use and the intention to use contraceptives among women. The sample constituted 24,562 women who were successfully interviewed during the MDHS. All comparisons are considered statistically significant at 5% level. Results Overall 54.8% of women were currently using contraceptives, while 69.1% had the intention to use contraceptives. The odds of contraceptive use were significantly low among, women aged 15–19 years, 20–24 years, 25–29 years, 30–34 years, 35–39 years and 40–44 years compared to women aged 45–49 years; women of Tonga ethnic group (OR = O.60, CI = 0.43 0.84) compared to women of Nyanga ethnic group; women from poor households (OR = 0.78, CI = 0.68–0.90) and middle income households (OR = 0.84, CI = 0.74–0.95) compared to women from rich household. Nonetheless, women with no past experience of terminated pregnancy (OR = 1.50, CI = 1.34–1.68) were more likely to use contraceptives compared to women with past experience of terminated pregnancy. Similarly, Women with primary education (OR = 1.56, CI = 1.16–2.09) and secondary education (OR = 1.39, CI = 1.04–1.85) were more likely to use contraceptives compared to women with higher education. While the odds of intending to use contraceptives were significantly high with age only thus among women aged 15–19 years, (OR = 15.18, CI = 5.94–38.77); 20–24 years (OR = 16.77, CI = 7.46–37.71); 25–29 years (OR = 6.75, CI = 3.16–14.45); 30–34 years (OR = 7.75, CI = 3.61–16.65) and 35–39 years (OR = 5.05, CI = 2.29–11.12) compared to women aged 45–49 years. Conclusion As direct policy measure; information, education and communication programmes on family planning among poor and middle income women, and all women in reproductive ages should be strengthened.

Individual and community-level determinants of intention to use contraceptive among married women in Ethiopia: A multi-level analysis of National Survey

“…The proportion of participants who were intended to use contraceptive in the future was 48.63 (47.42-49.84). This figure is less observed than studies conducted in Indonesia 63%(29), in Ghana 70%(30, 31), in Uganda(32), in Malawi (33), in Ethiopia 84.3% (34) and it is almost in agreement with studies conducted in Ghana 49.3%(35), however this figure is higher than studies investigated in Ethiopia (17, 36). The possible justification why the observed findings of this study is less than the above mentioned one might be due to countries profiles of family planning experience, participants attitude, knowledge and education backgrounds towards family planning intention.…”

“…On the other hand, this study founds significantly higher prevalence of intention to use other studies conducted at various study setting with different times. A study conducted in Cameron (37), in Zambia (38), in Uganda (32), in Malawi (33), and in Ethiopia (39). This is related to the fact that older women may be in less need of contraceptive methods (40).…”

Differentials in Contraceptive Use Among Selected Minority Ethnic Groups in Nigeria

“…The high prevalence of modern contraception among Okun women of reproductive age, on the other hand, is consistent with their low fertility, which may be traced back to Yoruba ethnic group in Southwest Nigeria, suggesting that modern contraceptive use has a cascading effect from this majority ethnic group (14,(32)(33)(34). This is similar to earlier research that has found ethnicity to be a strong predictor of contraceptive use (15,29,30).…”

“…In sub-Saharan African countries, there has been evidence of modern contraceptive use differentials among ethnic groups (25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30). For instance, a study in Malawi showed that Tonga women are less likely to use modern contraceptives than Nyanga women (29).…”

“…In sub-Saharan African countries, there has been evidence of modern contraceptive use differentials among ethnic groups (25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30). For instance, a study in Malawi showed that Tonga women are less likely to use modern contraceptives than Nyanga women (29). Also, women from the Diola ethnic group in Senegal are less likely to use a modern contraceptive method than those from the Wolof ethnic group (30).…”