DISCONTINUATION OF REVERSIBLE LONG ACTING CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG REVERSIBLE LONG ACTING CONTREACEPTIVES USER WOMEN IN HEALTH FACILITIES OF HAWASSA CITY, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Despite the improvement in availability and utilization of long acting reversible contraception, discontinuation is becoming a public health concern. Significant proportion of women discontinue the service before its due date which poses a concern in the health system and its consequence may lead to failure of a program. This might have also social and economic consequences among users. Only 8% of married women in Ethiopia use implants and 2% use intrauterine contraceptive devices. Apart from its low utilization, premature removal is common with unknown reasons. However, there is paucity of information on discontinuation of reversible long acting contraceptives and associated factors. Objective: The study was aimed to assess discontinuation of reversible long acting contraceptives and associated factors among reversible long acting contraceptive methods user women in health facilities of Hawassa city, southern Ethiopia, from March, 01-April, 01/2019. Methods and materials: Institution based cross sectional study design was used. Out of 16 health facilities 9 of them were selected for this study using simple random sampling technique. Total sample size of this study was determined to be 442. Systematic sampling method was used to select study participants. Data were collected from study subjects using pretested semi-structured faceto-face interview guided questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression to identify factors associated with reversible long acting contraceptives discontinuation and the result is presented using the Crude Odds ratio as well as Adjusted Odds Ratio with the corresponding 95% confidence level. Result: of the 442 study participants, the overall proportion of reversible long acting contraceptives discontinuation was 56.6%(95% CI: 52.3%, 61.1%). Maternal educational status at primary level (AOR =2.332; 95% CI: 1.147-4.739), lack of counseling about possible benefits of LARCs (AOR=2.496; 95% CI: 1.008-6.181), side effects (AOR=2.092; 95% CI:1.309-3.341 and desire to be pregnant in the near future (AOR=2.222;95CI:1.496-3.301) were the major factors associated with discontinuation of the contraceptives. Conclusion and Recommendation: In this study, the overall proportion of discontinuation of reversible long acting contraceptives among women who were using reversible long acting contraceptives was high. Health professionals could give preinsertion counseling with giving emphasis on possible side effects and benefits of reversible long acting contraceptives to enhance duration of utilization.