Knowledge, non-use, use and source of information on contraceptive methods among women in various stages of reproductive age in rural Lagos, Southwest Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Contraceptives are advocated to be used against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases as unsafe abortion contributes to high maternal mortality in Nigeria while unwanted pregnancies have terminated the educational development of many females. OBJECTIVE: This questionnaire-based survey aimed to describe the knowledge, nonuse, and use of various contraceptive methods among women in different child-bearing age groups in rural Lagos, Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2012 and 2013, 816 females in rural communities within Lagos State were surveyed for their knowledge, source of information, and use of contraceptives. They were grouped into early, mid, and late reproductive age. Statistical analysis of data harvested from respondents was carried out using STATA 13 software. RESULTS: In all, 816 females in different stages of reproductive age were involved in the study, among whom 19% were single, 78% married, 3% divorced, and 0.5% widowed. About 6% had no formal education, while the majority (81%) were of the Yoruba ethnic group. Married respondents were approximately thrice more likely to know of contraceptives than single respondents (χ(2)=29.9, P=0.000, odds ratio =2.9, 95% confidence interval =1.9, 4.2). Condom use was the most widely known and used method of contraceptive regardless of marital status and reproductive age status. Information about contraceptives was mainly from health facilities among married and divorced women and from school or educational institution among singles. Overall prevalence of contraceptive use was 51.9%. Nonuse of contraceptives was 43% among married women and 67% among singles. Knowledge of contraceptive method was negatively associated with marital status (t=−2.24, P=0.025) but positively associated with source of information on contraceptives (t=20.00, P=0.000). Use of contraceptives was positively associated with stage of reproductive age (t=1.94, P=0.05) and source of information on contraceptives (t=11.22, P=0.000), but negatively associated with marital status (t=−2.79, P=0.005) and religious belief (t=−1.89, P=0.05). CONCLUSION: Knowledge and use or nonuse of contraceptives could be pivotal in designing adequate prenatal care to prevent unwanted pregnancy and consequently illegal abortion or possible adverse pregnancy outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and conditions such as small for gestational age. Data from this study can also be used to design penetrating health education on making pregnancy safer or living a healthy female reproductive life.