Contraceptive use among women of child bearing age in two Muslim communities in JOS-North, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

With a fertility rate of 5.7 and population growth rate of 2.6; Nigeria is yet to achieve the fertility rate of 4 children per woman fifteen years after the 2000 set time. This study assessed contraceptive prevalence rate and birth interval practices among women of child bearing age; it examined the effects of culture, religion and knowledge on contraceptive uptake. A cross-sectional study conducted among 288 women at Angwan-Rogo and Angwan-Rimi Muslim communities of Jos-North, Plateau State, Nigeria. The study found a contraceptive prevalence rate of 33% among women 15-49 years with married women accounting for only 13% compared to single women. About 80% of participants were sexually active; only 28% used modern contraceptives in their last sexual intercourse while one-third (33%) ever had deliberate abortion. Over 70% of respondents have their first child at the age of 15-20 years; 55% of them have co-wives, about half of them have 1-4 children while about 30% have 5-12 children per woman. Early marriage and early motherhood has cultural and religious origin that can be influenced by education and awareness. This study found a low contraceptive uptake corresponding with high sexual activity, low birth interval, high parity and polygyny.