FERTILITY DESIRE AND CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG RURAL WOMEN IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Abstract

In spite of various initiatives by the Nigerian government and nongovernmental organizationstoward reducing the country’s population growth rate through family planning programmes, use of contraception has remained as low as 15%. Also, most studies on fertility and reproductive health have focused on urban centers in Nigeria. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between fertility desire and contraceptive use by women aged 15-49 years in rural South West Nigeria. Data were obtained from the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), and a sample of, 1044 women in union were analyzed. Univariate analysis showed that 38% of the study population ever used contraceptives, and 33% desired no more children. Bivariate analysis showed a significant association between fertility desire and contraceptive use. Multivariate analysis revealed that those who wanted their next birth after two years were more likely to use contraceptive (OR 1.70 P< 0.05) compared to those who wanted their next birth within two years. Compared to those who wanted their next birth within two years, women who wanted no more children were more than thrice likely to use contraceptive (OR 3.71 p<.001). In conclusion, there was a significant relationship between fertility desire and contraceptive use among women in rural areas in South West Nigeria Family planning programs should be consolidated to meet the needs of married women who want their next birth within two years in order to increase contraceptive prevalence rate among rural women in South West Nigeria.