Contraceptive Choices amongst Antenatal Care Patients in a Tertiary Health Centre in Nigeria

Background to Study: Maternal mortality and morbidity are very high in sub-Saharan Africa as in most developing countries, Nigeria inclusive. There have been concerted efforts by Governments of these countries, Non-Governmental Organisations, International and World bodies on how to solve this problem. One of the worth able strategies employed to solve the issue of maternal mortality is to prevent unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, space births, plan family sizes through the use of modern contraceptive methods for women in their reproductive age. However, maternal mortality remains high in Nigeria because of the low prevalence of contraceptive patronage. We, the authors of this study decided to test the prevalence of contraceptive patronage amongst our antenatal patients and compare our results nationally and globally.

Objective: To determine the pattern of contraceptive choices among antenatal patients attending the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, Bayelsa State, South-South Nigeria.

Methodology: This was a descriptive cross sectional study conducted at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, Bayelsa state, South-South Nigeria, between October 2014 to January 2015. It consisted of a set of structured, pretested questionnaires that were administered to consecutive antenatal attendees.

Results: Fifty-one (57.3%) of subjects in the study have used contraceptives in the past. The most commonly used modern contraceptive method among the study population was the male condom – 25 (28.1%). Injectables were used by 12 (13.5%) of those who have used contraceptives before the advent of present pregnancy. Information on contraception- Seventy three (82%) of respondents learnt of family planning services in the hospital through Doctors and Nurses.

Conclusion: Previous contraceptive usage before the pregnancy by the study group was encouraging. However more advocacies by contraceptive providers are needed in the areas of emergency contraception and long term contraceptive methods for increase uptake.