Modern Family Planning Utilization and Its Associated Factors among Currently Married Women in Rural Eastern Ethiopia: A Community-Based Study

BACKGROUND: The use of modern family planning methods among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) is of public health importance in Ethiopia. Nationally, modern family planning method use remains as low as 35%. Understanding factors associated with the use of modern family planning methods may help to improve maternal and child health. Hence, this study is aimed at assessing modern family planning method use and its determinants among women of reproductive age in the rural districts of Eastern Hararghe zone, Eastern Ethiopia. Methodology. A community-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted among 577 randomly selected, currently married, reproductive-aged women in selected rural districts of Eastern Hararghe, Eastern Ethiopia. Data were collected using a pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire about women's sociodemographic information, knowledge about contraception, reproductive history, contraceptive use and fertility desire, couple's communication, and decision-making on family planning. Binary and multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the association between the dependent and independent variables. RESULT: A total of 555 study participants participated, yielding a 96.2% response rate. The overall modern family planning utilization among the study participants was 18.4%. Knowledge of modern family planning methods (AOR = 16.958, CI: 4.768, 60.316), husband approval (AOR = 3.590, CI: 2.170, 5.936), couple's discussion (AOR = 2.852, CI: 1.759, 4.623), male involvement in decisions about family planning (AOR = 2.340, CI: 1.531, 3.576), desire for additional child (AOR = 2.295, CI: 1.528, 3.447), and previous use of contraception (AOR = 0.018, CI: 0.005, 0.063) were significantly associated with modern contraceptive utilization. CONCLUSION: Even though knowledge of modern family planning methods was very high, the overall modern family planning method use in the study area was low. The government should focus on increasing modern family planning method availability. It must also ensure family planning method security and create awareness on modern family planning methods through community-based education and proper counselling to empower women to make an appropriate choice.