Knowledge and Practice of Contraception Use Among Females of Child-Bearing Age in Mosul, Iraq

Association between knowledge and use of contraceptive among women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa

Background and Aims

The use of contraceptives has been considered relevant in reducing unintended pregnancies in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, despite evidence of knowledge of contraceptives, their use remains low in SSA. This study examined the association between knowledge of contraceptive methods and the use of contraceptives in SSA.

Methods

Data for the study were extracted from the Demographic and Health Surveys of 21 countries in SSA spanning from 2015 to 2021. A weighted sample of 200,498 sexually active women of reproductive age were included in the final analysis. We presented the results on the utilization of contraceptives using percentages with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CI). We examined the association between knowledge of contraceptive methods and the use of contraceptives using multilevel binary logistic regression analysis.

Results

Overall, 24.32% (95% CI: 24.15-24.50) of women in SSA used contraceptives. Chad had the lowest prevalence of contraceptive use (5.07%) while Zimbabwe had the highest prevalence (66.81%). The odds of using any method of contraception were significantly higher for women with medium [Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.89; 95% CI = 1.80-1.98] and high [AOR = 2.22; 95% CI = 2.10-2.33] knowledge of contraceptive methods compared to those with low knowledge, after adjusting for all covariates.

Conclusion

Our study has shown that the use of contraceptives among women in SSA is low. Women's knowledge of any contraception method increases their likelihood of using contraceptives in SSA. To improve contraceptive use in SSA, targeted interventions and programmes should increase awareness creation and sensitization, which can improve women's knowledge on methods of contraception. Also, programmes implemented to address the low uptake of contraceptives should consider the factors identified in this study. In addition, specific subregional strategies could be implemented to narrow the subregional disparities.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice About Emergency Contraception Among Saudi Women of Childbearing Age of Eastern Region in Saudi Arabia

Background and aim Emergency contraception (EC) refers to methods of contraception that are used within 72 hours up to 120 hours after unprotected intercourse to prevent unintended pregnancy. It can postpone ovulation, stopping fertilization. Ella® (progestin receptor modulator), plan B, birth control tablets, and the copper intrauterine device (IUD) are examples of emergency contraception. The aim of the study is to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and practices of emergency contraception among Saudi women of childbearing age in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. Methods It is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Data was collected through a pretested online questionnaire after approval from an ethical committee and women's consent to participate in the study. Women between 18 and 49 years old were included in the study. Women aged under 18 and over 49 years were excluded from the study to make the sample population more homogenous. Participants were provided a link to a questionnaire form to be completed from their devices (phone or laptop). Results A total of 648 childbearing Saudi women completed the survey. The majority were between 18 and 25 years old. Approximately 263 (40.6%) had no children, and 348 (53.7%) earned less than 5,000 SAR monthly. Four hundred and sixty-seven (72%) of the participants had never used emergency contraception. Four hundred and seventy-eight (73.8%) did not know the maximum acceptable time for using EC. Three hundred and fourteen (48.5%) did not know the potential risks to the baby in case of failure of emergency contraception. Two hundred and twenty-three (34%) patricians wrongly believed that there would be a potential risk to the baby if the patient got pregnant after using emergency contraception. Three hundred and eight (47.5%) participants supported the idea of the availability of emergency contraception without a prescription, and a majority believed that they would not feel shy in asking for emergency contraception. Five hundred and seventy-one (88%) participants did not visit any family planning clinic last year. A significant source of EC information was a doctor or a family planner, 206 (31.8%). A considerable barrier to EC use was fear of side effects and health risks, as reported by 382 (59%) respondents. Conclusions The current study reveals that participants have positive attitudes towards emergency contraception, but use is deficient because of poor knowledge and lack of awareness. Our study urges the urgent need for awareness campaigns by health professionals to improve learning and remove wrong fears and beliefs about emergency contraception.

Attitude and prevalence of early sexual debut and associated risk sexual behavior among adolescents in Tanzania; Evidence from baseline data in a Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Unsafe sexual behaviours and associated sexual ideas among adolescents may contribute to adverse health consequences for sexual health in adulthood. The patterns of sexual ideology and sociodemographic factors profiles on adolescents' sexual behaviours have not been the subject of a definite consensus in research. The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitude and prevalence of early sexual debut and associated risk sexual behavior among adolescents in Tanzania as the evidence from baseline data in a Randomized Controlled Trial.

METHODS

The study included 647 randomly chosen in-school adolescents from Tanzania and used an analytical cross-section survey in a quantitative research approach. Sexual-risk Behaviour Beliefs and Self-esteem Scale from previous studies were the main data collection tool. According to the Statistical Analysis Software (SAS), computer software version 9.4 descriptive analysis established respondents' socio-demographic profiles, attitudes, prevalence, and determinants linked to teenagers' early sexual debut. The link between the variables was established via multivariate logistic regression at a 5% significance level and a 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

The mean age was 15 ± 1.869 years while 57.5% of adolescents were females. 69.7% of adolescents were sexually active whereas 44.8% of them practised sexual behaviours willingly against 24.9% who practised coerced sexual behaviours. The majority (44.4%) and 16.2% of them initiated sexual behaviours during the early and middle adolescence stages respectively. Most adolescents had the ideology that sex was okay to them even before the age of 18 years. Their odds of practicing sexual behaviours were significantly high with the ideology that sex was okay to them even before 18 years of age (AOR = 1.293; p < 0.05; 95%CI: 0.689, 2.989), exposure to drug abuse (AOR = 1.210; p < 0.05; 95%CI: 0.803, 2.130), using media (AOR = 1.006; p < 0.05; 95%CI: 0.748, 2.667) and/or exposure to social groups [Jogging, Gym, health clubs, betting, Games] (AOR = 1.032; p < 0.05; 95%CI: 0.889, 2.044).

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest that holding a positive attitude towards early sexual debut is a precursor to early sexual activity among adolescents. Unsafe sex, coercive sex, and other risky sexual behaviors are not uncommon among adolescents starting sex before the age of 18 years. Exposure to drug abuse, online sexual content, and/or social groups significantly influenced early sexual debut irrespective of other known factors. Age-appropriate school-based sexuality education programs should be promoted and implemented to address the most prevalent positive attitude towards early sexual debut and associated risk sexual behaviour among adolescents in Tanzania and other similar settings.

Factors affecting contraceptive use among currently married women in Iraq in 2018

Level of contraceptive use is one of the primary proximate determinants of fertility level. Among Arab countries, Iraq experiences high fertility rates, especially among adolescents. According to the 2018 Iraq Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (IMICS 2018), 52.8% of currently married Iraqi women used a contraceptive method (36.1% used modern methods, and 16.7% used traditional methods). A multiple multinomial logistic regression model was adopted to investigate the demographic, socioeconomic, fertility, and cultural determinants of contraceptive use among currently married, nonpregnant Iraqi women based on the 2018 Iraq Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey data. The main findings indicated that women using modern contraceptive methods had more children, did not experience the death of a child, and had no desire for more children. Moreover, they were married before age 21, had at least an upper secondary education, had access to mass media, used the internet, belonged to a low or middle wealth category, and lived in urban Kurdistan. Kurdish women prefer to use traditional methods. The results suggest that family planning programmes should target women who live in southern/central areas of Iraq, as they were the least likely to use contraceptives, and motivate Kurdish women to use modern contraceptives rather than traditional contraceptives.

Oral contraceptive pill and metabolic syndrome: Fasa Persian Cohort Study (Descriptive study)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The contraceptive use is 56% and prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is 30% in Iran. The aim of this study investigates relationship between oral contraceptive pills (OCP) use and MetS in women in the cohort population of Fasa city.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, 5489 women aged 35-70 years were studied for 5 years in the Sheshdeh area in 2016. MetS were calculated using adult treatment panel III (ATP III) and international diabetes federation (IDF) methods. The odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was reported. Linear regression was used to eliminate the confounding effect.

RESULTS

The OR of developing MetS in the OCP recipients was estimated as higher than the non-recipients. The OR of developing MetS using IDF criteria in OCP recipients was (OR = 0.896,95% CI:0.800-1.004). that increased to (OR = 1.230,95% CI:1.084-1.395) after adjusting for confounding variables. Also, the odds ratio using ATP (III) criteria was (OR = 0.900,95% CI:0.804-1.009). that increased to (OR = 1.245,95% CI:1.098-1.413) after adjusting for confounding variables. Also, the OR of developing MetS in OCP recipients decreased with increasing the number of MetS components from 1.199 to 0.812,95% CI:0.771-1.864,0.467-1.413, but after adjustment, increased from 1.151 to 1.747,95% CI:0.733-1.805,0.815-3.746.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study showed that the OR of developing MetS in OCP recipients using both IDF and ATP (III) methods was higher after adjusting by confounder effects so it is recommended monitoring by physicians.

Contraceptive knowledge, practice, and associated factors among currently married women of reproductive age group: A community-based study in Puducherry, India

In the present cross-sectional study, the researchers aimed to assess the contraceptive knowledge, practice, and associated factors among 2228 women in Puducherry, India. National Family Health Survey questionnaire was adopted for data collection and about 1924 women participated. Current use of any contraceptive was 78.6% and female sterilization was 62%. The majority (99.8%) knew female sterilization, but below average for other contraceptive methods. About 10.4% were aware of more than three contraceptive methods. Age group, homemaker, with children or one son, aware of less than three methods, residing nearby to health facility were associated with the higher practice of contraceptive methods.