Reasons for current pregnancy amongst grand multiparous Gambian women - a cross sectional survey

Women's ability to negotiate safer sex with partners by contraceptive status among a nationally representative sample of married women in Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Existing studies established that safer sex negotiation influences contraceptive use, and women who are able to negotiate safer sex were expected to be contraceptive users. However, it is not certain that all contraceptive users have the ability to negotiate safer sex. Likewise, there is no evidence that all non-users are not able to negotiate safer sex with partners. The study assesses the prevalence of women's ability to negotiate safer sex and examines the determinants of women's ability to negotiate safer sex among contraceptive users and non-users.

METHODS

The comparative cross-sectional research design was adopted. Data were extracted from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. The study analyzed a sample of 2,765 contraceptive users and 20,304 non-users. The outcome variable was women's ability to negotiate safer sex with partners. The explanatory variables examined are eight socio-demographic characteristics (age, child marriage, education, parity, media exposure, religion, work status, and experience of female genital mutilation), six relational characteristics (healthcare autonomy, financial autonomy, household wealth quintile, partners' education, ownership of assets, and type of marriage). Attitude to wife-beating, male controlling behavior, place of residence, and geo-political zone of residence were included as control variables. Multivariable regression models were estimated.

RESULTS

Findings showed that 6.2% of women who were not able to negotiate safer sex were contraceptive users, while 15.9% of women who were able to negotiate safer sex were contraceptive users. Among non-users, the significant determinants were child marriage, education, parity, mass media exposure, religion, work status, healthcare autonomy, financial autonomy, household wealth, partner education, type of marriage, geo-political zone, attitude to wife-beating, and male controlling behavior. Regarding contraceptive users, the significant determinants were parity, religion, the experience of female genital mutilation, financial autonomy, partner education, type of marriage, and the geo-political zone of residence.

CONCLUSION

The ability to negotiate safer sex differs among contraceptive users and non-users. Also, the determinants of the ability to negotiate safer sex differ among contraceptive users and non-users. While existing strategies may continue to focus on women not using contraceptives, new strategies promoting reproductive autonomy are required among contraceptive users.

Prevalence and determinants of intention to use modern contraceptives among grand-multiparous women in sub-Saharan Africa

BACKGROUND

Sub-Saharan Africa, characterised by high fertility and low contraceptive use prevalence, remains one of the settings with the poorest maternal and child health indices globally. Studies have established that grand-multiparous women are at increased risk of these adverse maternal health outcomes, and contraceptive use is important to averting these adverse outcomes. Thus, this study examines the prevalence and determinants of intention to use modern contraceptives among grand-multiparous women in 10 sub-Saharan African countries with high fertility rates.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study utilized data from the last installments of the Demographic and Health Survey from the 10 leading countries with the highest total fertility rates in sub-Saharan Africa. These countries include: Angola, Benin, Burundi, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, the Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria. Data analysis of 23,500 grand-multiparous women was done at three univariate levels involving a frequency table and bar chart. We employed bivariate logit and multivariate logit regression at the bivariate and multivariate levels to achieve the study objectives. A significant level was determined at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Our study found that less than 40% of grand-multiparous women in these high fertility countries in sub-Saharan Africa, have the intention to use modern contraceptives (39%), but country variations exist with as low as 32.8% in Angola to as high as 71.2% in the Republic of the Congo. The study found that modern contraceptives use intention among grand-multiparous women in these high fertility countries was predicted by a history of contraceptive use and pregnancy termination, exposure to family planning messages on social media, and knowledge of family planning methods. Others were women's fertility planning status, ideal family size, number of marriages (remarriage), couple's fertility desire, current age, and level of education.

CONCLUSION

In the high fertility context of sub-Saharan Africa, characterized by low contraceptive use, improving contraceptive use intention among grand-multiparous women is vital for preventing adverse maternal and child health outcomes, including mortality, resulting from a high-risk pregnancy. Hence, interventions should be more innovative in targeting this group of women to increase the contraceptive prevalence rate in line with Family Planning 2030 goals, and ultimately reduce high fertility rates in the region.

Multilevel analysis of grand multiparity: Trend and its determinants in the Sidama National Regional State of Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study design from demographic and health survey 2000-2016

OBJECTIVE

The study was aimed at examining the magnitude, trends and determinants of grand multiparity in the Sidama regional state of Ethiopia.

DESIGN

We retrieved cross-sectional data from the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey from 2000 to 2016.

SETTING

Community-based demographic and health survey (DHS) was conducted in Ethiopia.

PARTICIPANTS

The study population was women (aged 15-49 years) who had delivered children with the available DHS data set.

OUTCOMES

Multilevel multivariate logistic regression analyses assessed the relationship between grand multiparity and its determinants.

RESULTS

The magnitude of grand multiparity was 70.8% (95% CI 68.5% to 72.9%). The multilevel multivariable logistic regression model showed illiteracy (adjusted OR (AOR)=2; 95% CI 1.25 to 3.75), non-use of any contraceptive (AOR=3.8; 95% CI 1.2 to 12.2), early marriage (AOR=4.5; 95% CI 2.6 to 7.9), polygamous marriage (AOR=4.2; 95% CI 2.0 to 9.3), short birth intervals (AOR=2.3; 95% CI 1.4 to 3.5) and husband's low education status (AOR=5.8; 95% CI 2.1 to 16.1) were significantly associated with grand multiparity.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that 7 of 10 women were grand multipara, and the magnitude did not show significant change over the last 16 years. Early marriage and early age at first birth, low literacy level, low family planning utilisation, polygamy, short interbirth interval and unmet need for family planning were determinants of grand multiparity. We recommended the stakeholders to design new strategies to address the root cause of high fertility factors in communities.

Prevalence and factors associated with unplanned pregnancy in The Gambia: findings from 2018 population-based survey

Background

Unplanned pregnancy is a public health issue that has detrimental implications for the mother and baby alike. However, few studies have been conducted in The Gambia on this subject. As a result, the prevalence of unplanned pregnancy among women of reproductive age in The Gambia was investigated, as well as the factors associated with it.

Methods

The Gambia's Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey (MICS) was used to evaluate the 2018 results. Data was obtained from 3790 women aged 15 to 49 who had also given birth. The univariate analysis was conducted using percentage. The adjusted odds ratios (AOR) were determined using a multivariable logistic regression model (with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI)). The degree of statistical significance was set at 5%.

Results

Approximately 25.3% (95% CI: 23.1%-27.6%) of the women reported unplanned pregnancy. Women aged 30–34 years had 45% reduction in unplanned pregnancy, when compared with those aged 15–19 years (AOR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.32–0.94). The Fula and non-Gambian women had 30% and 45% reduction in unplanned pregnancy respectively, when compared with Mandinka women. Those who had no functional difficulties had 47% reduction in unplanned pregnancy, when compared with women who had functional difficulties (AOR = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.91). Respondents who had given births to 3–4 and 5 + children were 1.79 and 3.02 times as likely to have unplanned pregnancy, when compared with women who had given birth to 1–2 children. Single/unmarried women were 11.38 times as likely to have unplanned pregnancy, when compared with women currently married/in union (AOR = 11.38; 95% CI: 6.38, 20.29). Local Government Area of residence was significantly associated with unplanned pregnancy. Furthermore, women who were neither happy nor unhappy and 18 + at sexual debut were 1.39 and 1.34 times as likely to have unplanned pregnancy, when compared with the very happy women and those < 18 at sexual debut respectively.

Conclusion

The rate of unintended pregnancies was large (25.3%). Several causes have been linked to unplanned pregnancies. These results suggest that further efforts are required to enhance women's sex education, expand access to family planning services, and provide affordable health care to high-risk women in order to minimize unintended pregnancies.

Quality of life and the related factors in early postnatal women in Malawi

OBJECTIVE

To explore the quality of life (QOL) and related factors in early postnatal women.

DESIGN

A descriptive, cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Liwonde, Malawi.

PARTICIPANTS

Women who underwent a normal vaginal birth (N = 173) were included from August to September 2018.

MEASUREMENTS

The QOL of participants was assessed using a World Health Organization QOL instrument. Demographic, obstetric, and health variables were collected using a structured questionnaire. Childbirth fear and depression were respectively assessed using the Wijma Delivery Experience Questionnaire and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. A multiple linear regression was used to examine factors associated with the QOL.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 29 (standard deviation 6.7) years. The overall QOL and health were satisfactory. The mean score of the QOL was highest in the psychological health and social relationships domains, followed by the environmental and physical health domains. A higher educational level was negatively related to the physical health of QOL (p ≤ 0.01), with physician care positively related (p = 0.01). The employment status was positively related to psychological health and the environmental QOL (p ≤ 0.01). Furthermore, a higher income, and physician care were positively related to the environmental QOL (p ≤ 0.05). High levels of childbirth fear and depressive symptoms were negatively related to all domains of the QOL (p ≤ 0.05), except for the social relationships domain.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The physical health QOL was lower in postnatal mothers in Malawi. Measures to improve physical health aspects and address women's fears and depressive symptoms during postpartum care are warranted. The findings should alert the health providers of the importance of assessing and improving women's physical health and psychological well-being during postpartum care.

Grand multiparity in rural Cameroon: prevalence and adverse maternal and fetal delivery outcomes

Background

Grand multiparity is a major public health concern especially among developing countries and has been associated with higher risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes compared with women of lesser parity. There is a dearth of evidence on this subject in Cameroon, especially in the rural areas. We therefore carried out this study to document the prevalence and maternal and fetal delivery outcomes of grand multiparity in a rural Cameroonian setting.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review of delivery records from two health facilities (the Oku District Hospital and Kevu Integrated Health Centre) in the Oku Health District over a period of eight years. Data was entered into and analyzed using Epi-Info version 7.0.8.3. The Chi-squared or Fisher’s exact test was used to compare categorical variables. The threshold of statistical significance was set at 5%.

Results

A total of 1755 delivery records met our inclusion criteria. The overall prevalence of grand multiparity was 27.0%. We found no significant difference in the rate of selected maternal and fetal delivery outcomes between grand multiparous women and those with lesser parity (p-value> 0.05). However, grand multiparous women were less likely to develop second-fourth degree perineal tears compared to their counterparts with lesser parity (odds ratio = 0.3, 95% confidence interval = 0.2–0.7, p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Our study depicts a high prevalence of grand multiparous delivery in this rural community. With the exception of severe perineal tear, grand multipara and their babies are as likely to develop adverse delivery outcomes as their counterparts with lesser parity. There is also the need to enhance existing government policies on reproductive health in rural areas.

Grand multiparity as a predictor of adverse pregnancy outcome among women who delivered at a tertiary hospital in Northern Tanzania

Background

Grand multiparity has been associated with increased risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as post-partum hemorrhage,gestational hypertension, gestationaldiabetes mellitus and high perinatal mortality.There is limited information about the impact of high parity on pregnancy outcomes in Tanzania. This study aimed to determine prevalence, trend and associated adverse pregnancy outcomes of grand multiparity in a tertiary hospital in Northern Tanzania.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) using maternally linked data from medical birth registry. Women with singleton deliveries from 2006 to 2014 were analyzed. The prevalence of grand-multiparity was computed as proportion to estimate the trend over years. Adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with grand multiparity were estimated using multivariable logistic regression models. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The overall prevalence of grand multiparity was 9.44% ranging from 9.72% in 2006 to 8.49% in 2014. The grand multiparous women had increased odds of prelabour rupture of membranes (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.78: 95% CI:1.28–2.49), stillbirth (AOR 1.66: 95% CI:1.31–2.11) and preterm birth delivery (AOR 1.28; 95% CI: 1.05–1.56) as compared to women in the lower parity group.

Conclusions

The prevalence of grand multiparity among women in North-Tanzania was 9.44%. It was significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. This calls for a need to increase community awareness on its risks, encourage birth control among older women. Delivery-care facilities should prepare for emergency situation when attending deliveries of high parity group.

Maternal grand multiparity and intention to use modern contraceptives in Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Grand multiparity and low contraceptive prevalence are dominant among Nigerian women. These elevate the risk of unintended pregnancies, high-risk fertility and adverse maternal and child health outcomes among women in the country, particularly grand multiparous women. Studies have examined predictors of intention to use modern contraceptives among women of reproductive age. However, these studies did not ascertain the extent to which grand multiparity is associated with intention to use modern contraceptives. This study examined association between grand multiparity and intention to use modern contraceptives in Nigeria.

METHODS

The study pooled data from 2003 to 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys. The weighted sample size analysed was 34,302 women. The outcome variable was intention to use contraceptive. The main explanatory variable was parity with specific attention to grand multiparity. Unadjusted multinomial logistic regression coefficients were used to examine association between specific explanatory or control variables and intention to use contraceptives while the adjusted multinomial logistic regression was applied to further examine associated factors of intention to use contraceptives relative to being uncertain about future contraceptive use. Four multinomial logistic regression models were fitted using Stata 14.

RESULTS

More than half of respondents do not intend to use contraceptives, while less than one-fifth of respondents intend to use contraceptives in the future. Across the four fitted models, the relative risks of intention to use compared with being uncertain about future contraceptive use were significantly lower among grand multiparous women. Results further revealed pregnancy termination, fertility planning status, exposure to mass media family planning messages, knowledge of modern contraceptives, ideal family size, remarriage, household power relations, and maternal education as other key factors influencing expected risk of intention to use contraceptives relative to being uncertain about future contraceptive use.

CONCLUSION

Maternal grand multiparity is significantly associated with intention to use contraceptives among women in Nigeria. The development of a specific population and health programme to target grand multiparous women is imperative in the country. Such programme could be integrated into existing national family planning programme through specific contraceptive education, counselling and information for high parous women.