Factors Affecting Use of Modern Family Planning Among South-Eastern Nigerian Women: A Secondary Analysis of 2013 NDHS

Abstract

Family planning is widely acknowledged as an important intervention towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) three (4) and five (5) as it has proven to reduce maternal and child mortality. Family planning can prevent unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions. The aim of this study was to determine various factors that influence the uptake of modern family planning among women of reproductive age in South-eastern Nigeria. The study used data obtained from Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2013. Factors considered were drawn from the dataset. Analysis was carried out using Stata version 12.1. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine relationship between various factors and use of modern family planning methods. Level of significance was set at 0.05. The total number of participants in the study was 2,816. Twelve point fifty seven percent (12.57%) of the participants were currently using modern family planning methods. The highest proportion of use was 25.57% in Ebonyi State, while the lowest was 16.94 % in Imo State. The only identified predictor of use of modern family planning use was educational status. The women who had at least secondary education were almost twice (1.82 times) more likely to use modern family planning methods than those who had only primary education or less (OR=1.82, 95% CI: 1.4-2.4, P<0.001). Measures should be taken to increase female literacy, as this will most likely lead to improved uptake of modern family planning among the respondents. Keywords: