Factors Associated With The Use Of Modern Family Planning methods Among Women Of Reproductive Age in The Builsa South District Of The Upper East Region, Ghana.

ABSTRACT 

Background: Family planning use allows individuals and families to attain their desired number of children and to control the spacing of pregnancies. This is done through the use of contraceptives methods and the treatment of fertility. The use of family planning has a lot of benefits to every nation. Rapid population growth has brought about overcrowding in our cities, increased environmental pollution due to human activities and put a lot of pressure on our limited natural resources. Population growth has over taken our economic development and therefore putting pressure on our social amenities. The use of family planning methods has been demonstrated not only to halt rapid population growth but also to enhance the health of mothers and their children. This study sought to assess the factors that are associated with modern contraceptive use among women of reproductive age (15-49) in the Builsa South of the Upper East Region. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was conducted using quantitative tools among 300 women of reproductive age (15-49) years, in Builsa South District, in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Multi stage random sampling technique was used to select communities and in recruiting the study participants. Structured questionnaire was administered to gather quantitative data on the demographic characteristics and factors associated with modern Family Planning utilisation among the participants. Data was analyzed using frequencies, chi-square tests and logistic regressions on STATA version 15.0. Results: The study found knowledge and awareness of modern contraceptives to be near universal (98.66%) but current utilization was only (30.33%). The injectables (70%), the pill (53%) and the implants (44%) were the methods most respondents were aware of with no respondents expressing knowledge about the female condom. The main factors that were significant predictors of modern contraceptive use were age, ((aOR) = 3.94; 95% CI, 1.111 – v 13.97, occupation, (( aOR) = 5.12,95% CI: 1.2-21.91) and access to contraceptives ((aOR) = 2.70; 95% CI, 1.07 – 6.83). Conclusion: The study found that knowledge and awareness about modern contraceptives is high (98.66%) among the participants but utilization was low (30.33%). Age, occupation and access to modern contraceptives were significantly associated with modern contraceptives use in the study area.