Postpartum Modern Contraceptive Utilization and Associated Factors Among Women Who Gave Birth in the Last 12 Months in Addis Zemen, South Gondar, Ethiopia: Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: While family planning (FP) is important throughout an individual’s and couple’s reproductive life, postpartum family planning (PPFP) focuses on the prevention of unintended and closely spaced pregnancies through the first 12 months following childbirth. However, modern contraception utilization practice during the postpartum period is underemphasized in Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess postpartum modern contraceptive utilization and associated factors among postpartum women in Addis Zemen, South Gondar, Ethiopia in 2019. METHODS: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1 to February 30, 2019 on 402 women. Study subjects were selected by simple random sampling technique. The data were collected by a structured and pretested, face-to-face, interviewer-administered questionnaire, entered into EpiData 4.2 and analyzed by using SPSS 23 software. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were used to examine the association. Odds ratio, 95% confidence interval (CI) and P-value <0.05 were used to determine the statistical association. RESULTS: The prevalence of postpartum family planning utilization was 54.7%. Maternal educational status (adjusted odd ratio (AOR)=2.99, 95% CI (1.72, 5.19)), menses return (AOR=4.76, 95% CI (3.03, 7.48)), less than four alive children (AOR=3.61, 95% CI (1.51, 4.51)), postnatal care follow-up (AOR=2.96, 95% CI (1.57, 5.57)), length of time after delivery (AOR=1.80, 95% CI (1.16, 2.79)) and knowledge (AOR=1.69, 95% CI (1.07, 2.66)) were significantly associated with postpartum modern contraceptive utilization. CONCLUSION: The postpartum modern contraceptive utilization was low. Therefore, health care providers should strengthen the integration of family planning services with maternal and child health service, provide health information about timely use of contraceptives and improve postnatal care follow-up after giving birth.