Examining fertility preferences and spousal communication on contraceptive uptake among postpartum mothers in Nigeria

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Iluno, Adeyemi O. Adekunle, Imose Itua This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6411524/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 27 Jan, 2026 Read the published version in Contraception and Reproductive Medicine → Version 1 posted 10 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background The postpartum period is linked to a high risk of unintended pregnancies, contributing to the high fertility rate in Nigeria. The study investigated the fertility preferences and spousal communication on contraceptives among postpartum mothers attending maternal and child health clinics in Abuja district hospitals. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, and 248 postpartum mothers were purposely selected from a cluster of women attending a postnatal clinic across four district hospitals in Abuja. The data were summarised using mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentages, and bivariate analysis was conducted using the Pearson χ2 test at a 95% level of statistical significance. Results The respondents’ fertility preferences showed that about 80% desire to have another child; however, only a few desire to have a child soon, while over 70% want a child later. This desire to have another child increases as the parity level decreases. The study revealed a strong desire to use a contraceptive method (56.5%), with only 15.3% of the respondents being current users. The data showed significant association (P = 0.0001) between frequent spousal communication and contraceptive uptake. Conclusion The study revealed a high unmet need for spacing, a strong desire for contraceptives and a low uptake among postpartum mothers. Improving access to family planning methods and including spousal communication in family planning interventions can help postpartum mothers fulfil fertility preferences, reducing unintended pregnancies and negative reproductive health issues. Family planning Fertility preference Contraceptive Postpartum mothers Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Introduction Studies have reported that mothers across the developing world would like to space or limit the number of children they have, yet non-use of contraceptives is substantially high among them despite their sexual exposure (UN 2014, Adedini et al., 2015 , Sedgh et al., 2016). About 218 million mothers of reproductive age, 15–49 in developing countries have an unmet need for modern contraception (Sully et al., 2020 ). Serving all mothers in developing countries who currently have an unmet need for modern contraceptives would reduce unintended pregnancies by 68%, unsafe abortions by 72% and maternal deaths by 62% (Sully et al., 2020 ). According to the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2018, Nigeria has a 17% contraceptive prevalence rate among married mothers aged 15 to 49 years with only 12% of these as users of modern contraceptive methods (NPC 2018). There is an elevated risk of under-five mortality for children whose mothers had an unmet need for spacing or limiting childbearing than those whose mothers had met needs (Adedini et al., 2015 ). Investing in contraceptives in Nigeria is paramount to reducing global health inequities, which remains a cornerstone of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) agenda. Family planning can help meet the reproductive goals of postpartum mothers who wish to initiate and use contraceptives during the first year of delivery. The postpartum period is a time with a high risk of unwanted pregnancies (Idowu, et al., 2015 ), and this has been one of the contributing factors to the high fertility rate in Nigeria. Evidence has shown that by 6 months post-delivery, most mothers have resumed sexual activity and are yet to obtain contraceptives (Mumah et al., 2015 ). Barriers to contraceptive uptake by postpartum mothers include misconceptions about pregnancy risk, concerns about health consequences and side effects, pressure to become pregnant, and opposition from family members (Söderbäck et al., 2023 ; Mardi et al., 2018 ). Knowledge and awareness of family planning methods in Nigeria are considerably high (Doctor et al., 2013 ), yet uptake of family planning among postpartum mothers has remained low (Idowu et al., 2015 ). Borda and Winfrey ( 2010 ) in their study reported a high unmet need for family planning among postpartum mothers. This means that postpartum mothers are more susceptible to unintended pregnancy and are likely to embrace contraceptive methods if appropriately targeted. Unfortunately, the fertility preferences and spousal communication on contraceptive uptake among this group in Nigeria have not been suitably documented, thus limiting the opportunity to develop bespoke family planning programs. Fertility preferences in African countries have shown a high desire for more children (Kodzi et al. 2010 ). This means that despite modernisation and changes in lifestyle, many mothers in African countries still have large families. The fertility rate in Nigeria has only experienced a slight decrease over the past two decades. In 1990, the average Nigerian woman had 6.0 children, and by 2018, this number had only decreased to 5.3 children per woman (NPC 2018). This indicates that despite high awareness and knowledge of family planning, family size in Nigeria remains relatively high. In Sub-Saharan Africa, most family planning interventions have traditionally focused on women, despite the significant role men often play in these contexts. Actively including men as key family planning clients can promote more collaborative decision-making regarding contraceptive use (Raj et al., 2016 ; Adamou et al., 2019 ; Nzokirishaka and Itua, 2018 ). Joint decisions about contraception by men and women could enhance family planning efforts and increase the utilisation of reproductive health services (Challa 2020). Spousal communication is essential for family planning uptake, as it enables discussions about beliefs, addresses uncertainties, and facilitates decision-making (Zelalem et al., 2021 ). Studies have explored the unmet need for contraceptives among mothers and the different factors that influence it (Agyekum et al., 2022 and Wemakor et al., 2020 ). Still, a few have examined fertility preferences among postpartum mothers and spousal communication on contraceptive uptake among them. This study, therefore, examined the fertility preferences and spousal communication on contraceptive uptake among postpartum mothers attending maternal and child health clinics within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) district hospitals in Abuja, Nigeria. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used for the study. The study was conducted at four district hospitals within major cities in the FCT, Abuja. Abuja is the capital city of Nigeria. The study population consisted of postpartum mothers utilising the maternal and child health clinic for any purpose and were willing to provide verbal informed consent to participate. Postpartum mothers in this study refer to mothers in the first 12 months following their last childbirth. The calculated minimum sample size was 222 with a non-response rate adjustment calculated as 222 * 1/ (1 – NR), where NR is the non-response rate (10%) = 25. This was added to the calculated minimum sample size to make a total of 247. A rounded sample size of 248 was used. The instrument was developed based on a comprehensive literature review and the study's objectives. It was designed, reviewed, and refined by the authors before pre-testing on 20 postpartum mothers for reliability. A template was designed on SPSS (version 20) for entering the coded data. The reliability coefficient of the questionnaire was determined using the Cronbach’s Alpha model technique of SPSS (version 20). In this approach, a reliability coefficient not less than 0.5 was used to adjudge the questionnaire as being reliable. The pre-test showed a reliability coefficient of 0.975, implying that the instrument was reliable. Revisions were made to the instrument before it was finally used. To ensure quality data were collected, trained field assistants were used to administer the questionnaires. They provided further clarifications and explanations to questions, thereby ensuring correct answers were elicited. A purposive sampling technique was used to select participants from a cluster of postpartum mothers on postnatal visits within each clinic. Sixty-two postpartum mothers were selected as they came into the clinic in consecutive order for the interview in each of the FCT District Hospitals, Abuja. Consent of the participant was sought before the administration of the questionnaire. There was an explanation of the purpose of the research, the time that would be spent, and the benefits of the research. The questionnaires were collated immediately after each clinic visit, and the field assistant cross-checked them for completeness. The data were summarised using the mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentages. Bivariate analysis was conducted using the Pearson χ 2 test, and factors associated with the outcome were determined using binary logistic regression analysis at a 95% level of statistical significance. The results of the analysed data were presented using tables and figures. Results Socio-demographic characteristics of Respondents There was an equal number (62) of respondents represented across all the hospitals in all the locations used (Maitama General Hospital, Gwarinpa General Hospital, Wuse General Hospital, and Asokoro General Hospital). The age of the respondents ranged between 19 and 42 years, with a mean age of 29.8 ± 4.3 years. A greater percentage of the respondents were within the age groups of 25-34 years (75.8%), while others were within the age group 15-24 years (10.5%) and 35-44 years (13.7%). Most (99.6%) of the postpartum mothers were married, and only 0.4% cohabited. More than half (57.3%) of the respondents have attended tertiary education, while 42.3% have secondary education and 0.4% have primary education. Respondents’ Awareness of Family Planning Table 1 shows the number of respondents who have heard of family planning. Among all the reported sources of information on family planning, health clinics (98.5%), health workers (97.2%), friends (43.1%), radio (15.3%), relatives (14.1%) and television (14.1%) were the highest sources of information. Conferences (0.8%), internet (2%), workplace (5.2%) and the church (4.4%) were not as useful in disseminating information about family planning. When asked the type of modern methods they know, condoms (100%), injectable (61.7%), birth control pills (55.6%), implants (50.6%), and IUD (43.1%) were the most mentioned. Table 1: Respondents’ level of awareness towards Family Planning N=248 Awareness-related variables Yes (%) No (%) Ever heard of Family Planning 248 (100) 0 (0) Source of information Relatives 35 (14.17) 213 (85.9) Family 107 (43.1) 141 (56.9) Health clinic 245 (98.8) 3 (1.2) Workplace 13 (5.2) 235 (94.8) Television 35 (14.1) 213 (85.9) Internet 5 (2) 243 (98) Conferences 2 (0.8) 246 (99.2) Newspaper 5 (2) 243 (98) Church 11 (4.4) 237 (95.6) Radio 38 (15.3) 210 (84.7) Health worker 241 (97.2) 7 (2.8) Type of modern Family planning method aware of Injectables 153 (61.7) 95 (38.3) Birth control pills 138 (55.6) 110 (44.4) Vaginal ring 6 (2.4) 242 (97.6) IUD 107 (43.1) 141 (56.9) Vasectomy 8 (3.2) 240 (96.8) Implants 126 (50.8) 122 (49.2) Female sterilization 9 (3.6) 239 (96.4) Cervical cap 10 (4) 238 (96) Condom 248 (100) 0 (0) Patch 3 (1.2) 245 (98.8) Fertility Preferences of Respondents From Table 2, the majority of the postpartum mothers were within the postpartum period of 7 weeks – 3 months (39.9%) and 7 months – 9 months (30.2%). The findings showed that 38.7% of the respondents had only one child, while 28.6% and 20.2% had two and three children, respectively. Only 7.3% and 5.2% had four or more children, respectively. More than 80% said they desire to have another child, while 19% said they do not desire to have another child. 71% of the postpartum mothers who wish to have more children want a child later, 6% want it soon, and 2% were undecided about when to have it. Figure 1 shows a decrease in the percentage of mothers who desire to have another child with an increase in the respondents' parity level. The desire was highest (97.9%) among mothers with one living child and lowest (15.4%) among mothers with more than four living children. Table 2: Respondents’ Fertility Preferences Fertility Preference N % No of living children (N=248) One 96 38.7 Two 71 28.6 Three 50 20.2 Four 18 7.3 More than 4 13 5.2 Postpartum period (N=248) 1-6 weeks 55 21 7weeks – 3months 99 39.9 4-6 months 17 6.9 7-9 months 75 30.2 10-12 months 5 2 Desire to have another child (N=248) Yes 201 81 No 47 19 Additional number of children desired to have (N=248) One 71 28.5 Two 84 33.9 Three 27 10.9 More than 3 19 7.7 None 47 19 Timing of next birth (N=248) Will want to have another soon (within one year of delivery) 15 6 Will want to have another later (after two years of delivery) 176 71 Will want to have another but have not decided when to 5 2 Am undecided about having another 5 2 I want no more 47 19 Perceived ideal number of children (N=248) Two 5 2 Three 88 35.5 Four 121 48.8 More than 4 34 13.7 The pattern of utilisation of contraceptives among respondents More than half (56.5%) of the respondents expressed their desire to use contraceptives, while only 15.3% are currently using contraceptives. When respondents who do not desire to use a family planning method were asked the reasons for their lack of desire, most (35.2%) mentioned its “side effects”, while 31.5% said “they don’t think it is necessary”. Other reasons mentioned included “future use after birth 10%”, lack of husband’s approval 11.1%, and religion 3.7%. More details are shown in Table 3. Birth control pills were the most used modern contraceptive at 28.9%, followed by IUCD (Intra Uterine Contraceptive Devices), 18.4% and condoms, 18.4%. The method that was least mentioned was patch 0.4%. See Figure 2. Table 3: Respondents’ pattern of utilisation of a modern contraceptive Pattern of utilisation of modern family planning methods N % Desire to use any modern contraceptive N = 248 Yes 140 56.5 No 103 40.7 Undecided 5 2.8 Current use of any modern contraceptive N = 248 Yes 38 15.3 No 210 84.7 Respondent’s reasons for not desiring to use a contraceptive method* n = 108 I do not think it is necessary 34 31.5 Children are from God and should not be controlled 1 0.9 My religion does not approve of it 4 3.7 It has side effects 38 35.2 Will use after childbirth 11 10.3 I do not have my husband's approval 12 11.2 I had a delay before childbirth and do not want to delay it again 2 1.8 Health reasons 1 0.9 I know how to control myself 2 1.8 My husband travelled 2 1.8 Inadequate information on family planning 1 0.9 *open responses Current use of contraceptives among respondents by some social demographic characteristics Table 4 shows that 13.7% of postpartum mothers currently using a modern family planning method are aged 25-34, while the least (0.4%) are in the 15–24-year age group. Modern family planning usage is highest (10.5%) among postpartum mothers with tertiary education. Among the 84.7% of postpartum mothers not currently using any modern family planning, 34.5% are within the postpartum period of 7 weeks to 3 months, and 22.6% are in the 7 to 9 months range. Use of modern family planning is highest among postpartum mothers with two (4.4%) and three (5.2%) children. 36.3% of postpartum mothers with only one child are not currently using a modern family planning method. Table 4: Current use of any modern family planning method among respondents by Age, level of education, postpartum period, location of health clinic and number of living children N = 248 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Current use of the modern family planning method Socio demographic ch aracteristics Yes (%) No (%) Age at last birthday in years 15 – 24 1 (0.4) 25 (10.1) 25 – 34 34 (13.7) 154 (62.1) 35 – 44 3 (1.2) 31 (12.5) Level of education Primary 0 (0) 1 (0.4) Secondary 12 (4.8) 93 (37.5) Tertiary 26 (10.5) 116 (46.8) Postpartum period 1-6 weeks 1 (0.4) 51 (20.6) 7weeks-3months 14 (5.6) 85 (34.3) 4-6months 3 (1.2) 14 (5.6) 7-9months 19 (7.7) 56 (22.6) 10-12months 1 (0.4) 4 (1.6) Location of health clinic Maitama 11 (4.4) 51 920.6) Life camp (Gwarimpa) 10 (4.0) 52 (21.0) Asokoro 9 (3.6) 53 (21.4) Wuse 8 (3.2) 54 (21.8) No of living children One 6 (2.4) 90 (36.3) Two 11 (4.4) 60 (24.2) Three 13 (5.2) 37 (14.9) Four 6 (2.4) 12 (4.8) More than 4 2 (0.8) 11 (4.4) Spousal communication among respondents 71% of respondents have ever discussed family planning with their spouses, while about 29% have never discussed family planning with their spouses. 63.7% discuss family planning methods always with their spouses (See Table 5a) Spousal communication on modern family planning methods among respondents was categorised into frequent spousal communication and infrequent spousal communication. frequent spousal communication refers to women who have ever discussed family planning with their spouse, and this discussion occurs frequently. In contrast, infrequent spousal communication refers to those who have never discussed family planning with their spouses or rarely discuss it. The majority (63.7%) of the respondents had frequent spousal communication, while 36.3% had infrequent spousal communication. Details are provided in Table 5b below. Table 5a-b: Spousal Communication on Family Planning among respondents N = 248 Spousal Communication N % Ever discussed Family Planning with spouse Yes 176 71 No 72 29 Frequency of spousal communication Never 72 29 Frequently 158 64 Rarely 18 7 Categories of spousal communication N % Infrequent 90 36.3 Frequent 158 63.7 Association between spousal communication and family planning use Based on Pearson’s Chi-squared test, there is a significant association between spousal communication and contraceptive use (χ2 = 15.65, p-value = 0.0001, df = 1). Mothers with frequent spousal communication were more likely to use family planning methods compared to those with infrequent communication. Further results from the Yule coefficient indicate a strong positive association (Q = 0.784). The odds ratio of 8.25 (95% CI: 2.46–27.66) shows that the odds of using family planning are almost eight times higher among couples with frequent spousal communication compared to those with infrequent spousal communication. Since the 95% confidence interval value of the Odds Ratio is greater than one, the association is statistically significant and not likely to have occurred by chance. More details are provided in Table 6 below. Table 6: Association between spousal communication and family planning use N = 248 Family Planning Use Spousal communication Yes (%) No (%) Total (%) Infrequent 3(3.3) 87(96.7) 90(100) Frequent 35(22.2) 123(77.8) 158(100) Total (%) 38(15.3) 210(84.7) 248(100) Observed X 2 = 15.65 Critical X 2 = 3.84 P = 0.0001 df = 1 Q of Yule = 0.784 OR = 8.25 CI (95%) = [2.46-27.66] The study found that while awareness of family planning was universal among postpartum mothers, actual contraceptive use was low at 15.3%, despite 56.5% expressing a desire to use it. Fertility preferences showed that the desire for more children declined as the number of living children increased. Most women cited fear of side effects, lack of perceived need, and husband’s disapproval as barriers. Importantly, women who had supportive and open communication with their spouses were significantly more likely to use family planning methods. Discussion The study explored fertility preferences and spousal communication on contraceptives among postpartum mothers attending maternal and child health clinics in four district hospitals in Abuja, Nigeria. All the respondents had heard of family planning and were aware of at least one contraceptive method, just as reported in some studies (Prateek et al., 2012; Doctor et al., 2013 ). However, almost half (43.1%) of the mothers reported friends as their source of information, which makes it possible for them to be exposed to non-factual and inadequate information on family planning. The findings from the study showed that although more than half (81%) of the respondents said they desired to have another child, only a few (6%) wanted it soon, while a higher proportion (71%) wanted it later. When comparing this result with 2013 and 2018 NDHS data, fewer mothers reported wanting to have another child soon, while more wanted another later (NPC 2018). Also, about 19% of the postpartum mothers in this study did not desire to have another child. This shows that there is a good proportion of Nigerian postpartum mothers whose fertility option is to either delay or limit childbearing. Kodzi et al ( 2010 ) in a study conducted in Ghana argued that mothers’ fertility preferences change over time for various reasons but may remain constant when their ideal family size is attained. In this study, a number of mothers reported their perceived ideal number of children to be “four”, and interestingly, the study found that mothers with four living children were the least likely to desire another child. This therefore shows a possible relationship between parity level and fertility preferences. Four being the ideal number of children for most mothers in this study also suggests a reduction in the desire for large families among Nigerian mothers. Over the years, the total fertility rate in Nigeria has declined from 6.0 births per woman as estimated in 1990 to 5.5 in 2013 and then to 5.3 in the latest 2018 NDHS (NPC 2018). The result of this study also showed that more than half of the postpartum mothers desire to use a family planning method. This shows their future intention to use a modern contraceptive, which is a good indication of future high demand and use if all the impediments hindering its uptake are removed. Although family planning services were provided at the health facilities where the study was conducted, only 15.3% were current users. Studies have reported that visiting a health clinic is strongly related to the use of contraceptives if contraceptive methods can only be obtained in a clinic (Cleland et al., 2006 ; Darroch et al., 2011; Ahmed et al., 2012 ). However, this study shows otherwise. More so, a study among Ethiopian mothers confirmed that, while there is a strong association between clinic visits and contraceptive use, this association are not overly correlated (Gordon et al., 2011 ). Similar to another study (Shumet et al., 2024 ), the major reasons mentioned in this study for not desiring to use a contraceptive are its side effects (35.2%) and the fact that the mothers think it is not necessary (31.5%) and this is likely to be addressed with prenatal counselling as mentioned in another study with a similar study population (Boulware et al., 2024 ). In this study, 11.2% of postpartum mothers cited a lack of husband’s approval as a barrier to family planning. Studies have shown that women may not take up a service without their husband’s consent (Sinai et al., 2019 ; Iluno et al., 2024 ). This underscores the strong influence of partners on unmet contraceptive needs, highlighting the need for greater male involvement in family planning programs. Findings indicate that contraceptive use is low for mothers with only one child, peaks for those with three children, and declines for mothers with four or more. Additionally, usage is highest among postpartum mothers with tertiary education, and this is consistent with the 2018 NDHS, which shows that contraceptive use in Nigeria increases with educational attainment and the number of living children (NPC 2018). Many postpartum mothers in this study who do not use modern family planning methods are in the postpartum periods of 7 weeks to 3 months and 7 to 9 months. This was also reported by Ross and Winfrey (2001) that many women do not use contraception after giving birth and become pregnant again sooner than desired. This underscores the need for targeted interventions during these critical phases. Many women may delay adopting contraceptives after childbirth, resulting in unintended pregnancies. The study revealed a strong positive association between spousal communication and contraceptive uptake. Similar to findings in other studies (Fagbamigbe and Ojebuyi 2017 ; Asa et al., 2018 ; Zelalem et al., 2021 ), women who discuss family planning frequently with their spouses are more likely to use a contraceptive than mothers who do not. This finding highlights the potential role of contraceptive spousal dialogue in promoting family planning interventions. Study Limitation The study was conducted with a small sample size within facilities based around major cities in Abuja, hence excluding mothers across other areas within the country, which may affect the generalisation of the results among postpartum mothers in Nigeria. However, scientific steps were taken in the selection of study participants while carrying out the study so that the result would constitute a fair reflection of the phenomenon among postpartum mothers. Conclusion and Recommendations This study reveals a gap between awareness and actual use of modern contraceptives among postpartum mothers in Abuja. Although knowledge of family planning methods was universal and mainly sourced from health facilities and providers, only 15.3% of respondents reported current use. This suggests that awareness alone is insufficient to drive uptake, and deeper social, cultural, and interpersonal factors may hinder adoption. Notably, fear of side effects, misconceptions about the necessity of contraception, and lack of spousal approval were key barriers. These findings echo those of previous studies in similar settings, emphasizing the importance of addressing myths, misinformation, and gender dynamics. Health workers have a role to play in reassuring, educating, and finding the best methods that best suit each woman in order to debunk their fears and other misconceptions around contraceptives while helping them delay or limit childbearing. The findings revealed that fertility preferences also influenced contraceptive behaviour. While 81% of mothers desired more children, most preferred to wait at least two years, aligning with healthy timing and spacing recommendations. However, the desire for additional children declined sharply with the number of living children—only 15.4% of mothers with five children wanted more, compared to 97.9% of those with one. This trend reflects a natural progression in reproductive goals and highlights the importance of providing targeted family planning counselling as women’s fertility intentions evolve. Although there was a high desire to use contraceptives, only 15% of the respondents were currently using them, which suggests that the intention to use does not always translate into actual use. Spousal communication emerged as a significant predictor of contraceptive use. Mothers who communicate frequently with their spouses are eight times more likely to use family planning. This underscores the urgent need to include men in family planning interventions, encouraging shared decision-making and mutual support. The study reveals the influence of spousal communication and the extent to which the burden of unmet needs for contraceptives and intention to use falls within the first year of postpartum. When mothers are not captured in this period to use a contraceptive, there is an increased risk of unintended pregnancies, which may eventually lead to increased unsafe abortions, poor maternal and child health outcomes, and other related negative reproductive health issues. Therefore, there is a need to focus family planning interventions on mothers within their first year postpartum and their spouses to assist them in achieving their contraceptive intentions and needs. Abbreviations FCT Federal Capital Territory IUCD Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device SDG Sustainable Development Goals NDHS National Demographic Health Survey NPC National Population Commission NR Non–response Rate UI University of Ibadan UCH University College Hospital Declarations Authors’ Contribution: A.C.I. conducted the research and wrote the main manuscript text. A.O.A. supervised the research and reviewed the manuscript. I.I. reviewed the result presentation and the entire manuscript. Acknowledgements: The authors would like to acknowledge the support of all the hospitals and the postpartum mothers who voluntarily participated in this research. Consent for Publication: Not Applicable as no identifier was required. Availability of data and materials: Data analysed are available upon request from the corresponding author. Competing Interest: None to Declare Funding: This study received no grant from any institution/company/university. 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Igwegbe AO, Ugboaja JO, Monago EN. Prevalence and determinants of unmet need for family planning in Nnewi, South East Nigeria. Int J Med Med Sci. 2009;1(8):325–9. Iluno AC, Oshiname FO, Adekunle AO, Justin D. Cervical cancer screening adoption behaviours among Nigerian women in academics: using a health belief model. BMC Womens Health. 2024;24:534. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-024-03380-w . Kodzi IA, Johnson DR, Casterline JB. Examining the predictive value of fertility preferences among Ghanaian mothers. Demogr Res. 2010;22(30):965–84. 10.4054/DemRes.2010.22.30 . Mardi A, Ebadi A, Shahbazi S, Saeieh SE, Moghadam ZB. Factors influencing the use of contraceptives through the lens of teenage mothers: a qualitative study in Iran. BMC Public Health. 2018;18:202. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5116-3 . Mumah JN, Machiyama K, Mutua M, Kabiru CW, Cleland J. Contraceptive Adoption, Discontinuation, and Switching among Postpartum Mothers in Nairobi's Urban Slums. Stud Fam Plann. 2015;46(4):369–86. 10.1111/j.1728-4465.2015.00038.x . Prateek SS, Saurabh RS. Contraceptive practices adopted by women attending an urban health centre. Afr Health Sci. 2012;12(4):416–21. Raj A, Ghule M, Ritter J, Battala M, Gajanan V, Nair S, Dasgupta A, Silverman JG, Balaiah D, Saggurti N. Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluation of a Gender Equity and Family Planning Intervention for Married Men and Couples in Rural India. PLoS ONE. 2016;11(5):e0153190. 10.1371/journal.pone.0153190 . PMID: 27167981; PMCID: PMC4864357. Ross J, Winfrey WL. Contraceptive method choice in developing countries. International Family. Plann Perspect. 2001;28(1):32–40. Sedgh G, Hussain R. Reasons for contraceptive nonuse among mothers having unmet need for contraception in developing countries. Stud Fam Plann. 2014;45(2):151–69. 10.1111/j.1728-4465.2014.00382.x . Shumet T, Geda NR, Hassan JA. Barriers to modern contraceptive utilisation in Ethiopia. Contracept Reprod Med. 2024;9:47. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40834-024-00311-w . Sinai I, Omoluabi E, Jimoh A, Jurczynska K. Unmet need for family planning and barriers to contraceptive use in Kaduna, Nigeria: culture, myths and perceptions. Cult Health Sex. 2019;22(11):1253–68. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2019.1672894 . Söderbäck K, Holter H, Salim SA, Elden H, Bogren M. Barriers to using postpartum family planning among mothers in Zanzibar, Tanzania. BMC Mothers' Health. 2023;23(1):182. 10.1186/s12905-023-02330-2 . Sully EA, Biddlecom A, Darroch JE, Riley T, Ashford LS, Lince-Deroche N, Firestein L, Murro R. (2020) Adding It Up: Investing in Sexual and Reproductive Health 2019, New York: Guttmacher Institute, 2020. https://www.guttmacher.org/report/adding-it-upinvesting-in-sexual-reproductive-health-2019 National Population Commission (NPC). Nigeria, ICF. Nigeria demographic and health survey 2018. Abuja and Rockville: NPC and ICF; 2019. Nzokirishaka A, Itua I. Determinants of unmet need for family planning among married women of reproductive age in Burundi: a cross-sectional study. Contracept Reprod Med. 2018;3:11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40834-018-0062-0 . United Nations. World contraceptive use: 2014 report. New York, NY: Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, United Nations; 2014. Wemakor A, Garti H, Saeed N, Asumadu O, Anyoka B. Prevalence and determinants of unmet need for contraception in North Gonja district, Ghana. BMC Motherss Health. 2020;20(1):1–9. 10.1186/s12905-020-01077-4 . Zelalem D, Worku A, Alemayehu T, Dessie Y. Association of Effective Spousal Family Planning Communication with Couples' Modern Contraceptive Use in Harar, Eastern Ethiopia. Open Access J Contracept. 2021;12:45–62. 10.2147/OAJC.S285358 . Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 27 Jan, 2026 Read the published version in Contraception and Reproductive Medicine → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 04 Jun, 2025 Reviews received at journal 30 Apr, 2025 Reviews received at journal 21 Apr, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 18 Apr, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 18 Apr, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 17 Apr, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 15 Apr, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 13 Apr, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 09 Apr, 2025 First submitted to journal 09 Apr, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6411524","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":445755679,"identity":"5c859f86-ff34-4e9f-a6da-770d1dabcae4","order_by":0,"name":"Adaobi C. Iluno","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA6klEQVRIiWNgGAWjYFACxsYDQFLOAEhIVAC5DWDRA3i1NICkjcFazhCnBSKduIFoLfzthxsO8+6wSd8uffjhjQMV92Qb2A8/YOY5g1uLxJlEoJYzabk7+9KMLQ6cKTZu4EkzYOa5gcdVNxiBWtoO5244w2Am/bEtIbGBIYeBmecDbh3yUC3pBmfYv0kcBGnhf4NfiwFUS4LBGR4ziBYJkC14HGYI9MvBuW1phjt7eIqBfkkwbpN4ZnBwDh7vyx0//vDB2zYbeXMe9o3AEEuQ7edPfvjgzTE83scAbAwEI3IUjIJRMApGASEAAEozWiWtvicmAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"University of Bradford","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Adaobi","middleName":"C.","lastName":"Iluno","suffix":""},{"id":445755681,"identity":"e9d0b0bf-d6a0-420b-a407-edafb5e8cc59","order_by":1,"name":"Adeyemi O. Adekunle","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University College Hospital","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Adeyemi","middleName":"O.","lastName":"Adekunle","suffix":""},{"id":445755684,"identity":"889b02a8-b6dc-4709-a387-ed987724e9a3","order_by":2,"name":"Imose Itua","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Bradford","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Imose","middleName":"","lastName":"Itua","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-04-09 11:38:20","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6411524/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6411524/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40834-026-00428-0","type":"published","date":"2026-01-27T15:58:00+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":82160468,"identity":"351a3c49-d8a8-412f-81a1-c9d91af8e386","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-07 08:33:31","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":98338,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eComparison of the respondents’ number of living children with their desire to have another child\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6411524/v1/f6a543dde8eadfe4a8871a2c.png"},{"id":82159649,"identity":"5a78e829-6544-4507-9e97-6341e2f1963a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-07 08:25:31","extension":"jpeg","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":113188,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTypes of modern contraceptives used by respondents\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage38.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6411524/v1/a1c48d4e60437586b5588df2.jpeg"},{"id":101690800,"identity":"65a7a829-125e-4647-9bc9-014823db2a45","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-02-02 16:08:58","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1349437,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6411524/v1/2a6be635-43ba-4a83-b667-7b1fc154cb1e.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Examining fertility preferences and spousal communication on contraceptive uptake among postpartum mothers in Nigeria","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eStudies have reported that mothers across the developing world would like to space or limit the number of children they have, yet non-use of contraceptives is substantially high among them despite their sexual exposure (UN 2014, Adedini et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e, Sedgh et al., 2016). About 218\u0026nbsp;million mothers of reproductive age, 15\u0026ndash;49 in developing countries have an unmet need for modern contraception (Sully et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). Serving all mothers in developing countries who currently have an unmet need for modern contraceptives would reduce unintended pregnancies by 68%, unsafe abortions by 72% and maternal deaths by 62% (Sully et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccording to the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2018, Nigeria has a 17% contraceptive prevalence rate among married mothers aged 15 to 49 years with only 12% of these as users of modern contraceptive methods (NPC 2018). There is an elevated risk of under-five mortality for children whose mothers had an unmet need for spacing or limiting childbearing than those whose mothers had met needs (Adedini et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). Investing in contraceptives in Nigeria is paramount to reducing global health inequities, which remains a cornerstone of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) agenda.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFamily planning can help meet the reproductive goals of postpartum mothers who wish to initiate and use contraceptives during the first year of delivery. The postpartum period is a time with a high risk of unwanted pregnancies (Idowu, et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e), and this has been one of the contributing factors to the high fertility rate in Nigeria. Evidence has shown that by 6 months post-delivery, most mothers have resumed sexual activity and are yet to obtain contraceptives (Mumah et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). Barriers to contraceptive uptake by postpartum mothers include misconceptions about pregnancy risk, concerns about health consequences and side effects, pressure to become pregnant, and opposition from family members (S\u0026ouml;derb\u0026auml;ck et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Mardi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKnowledge and awareness of family planning methods in Nigeria are considerably high (Doctor et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e), yet uptake of family planning among postpartum mothers has remained low (Idowu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). Borda and Winfrey (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e) in their study reported a high unmet need for family planning among postpartum mothers. This means that postpartum mothers are more susceptible to unintended pregnancy and are likely to embrace contraceptive methods if appropriately targeted. Unfortunately, the fertility preferences and spousal communication on contraceptive uptake among this group in Nigeria have not been suitably documented, thus limiting the opportunity to develop bespoke family planning programs.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFertility preferences in African countries have shown a high desire for more children (Kodzi et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). This means that despite modernisation and changes in lifestyle, many mothers in African countries still have large families. The fertility rate in Nigeria has only experienced a slight decrease over the past two decades. In 1990, the average Nigerian woman had 6.0 children, and by 2018, this number had only decreased to 5.3 children per woman (NPC 2018). This indicates that despite high awareness and knowledge of family planning, family size in Nigeria remains relatively high.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn Sub-Saharan Africa, most family planning interventions have traditionally focused on women, despite the significant role men often play in these contexts. Actively including men as key family planning clients can promote more collaborative decision-making regarding contraceptive use (Raj et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e; Adamou et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Nzokirishaka and Itua, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). Joint decisions about contraception by men and women could enhance family planning efforts and increase the utilisation of reproductive health services (Challa 2020). Spousal communication is essential for family planning uptake, as it enables discussions about beliefs, addresses uncertainties, and facilitates decision-making (Zelalem et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStudies have explored the unmet need for contraceptives among mothers and the different factors that influence it (Agyekum et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e and Wemakor et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). Still, a few have examined fertility preferences among postpartum mothers and spousal communication on contraceptive uptake among them. This study, therefore, examined the fertility preferences and spousal communication on contraceptive uptake among postpartum mothers attending maternal and child health clinics within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) district hospitals in Abuja, Nigeria.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003cp\u003eA descriptive cross-sectional study design was used for the study. The study was conducted at four district hospitals within major cities in the FCT, Abuja. Abuja is the capital city of Nigeria. The study population consisted of postpartum mothers utilising the maternal and child health clinic for any purpose and were willing to provide verbal informed consent to participate. Postpartum mothers in this study refer to mothers in the first 12 months following their last childbirth. The calculated minimum sample size was 222 with a non-response rate adjustment calculated as 222 * 1/ (1 \u0026ndash; NR), where NR is the non-response rate (10%)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;25. This was added to the calculated minimum sample size to make a total of 247. A rounded sample size of 248 was used. The instrument was developed based on a comprehensive literature review and the study's objectives. It was designed, reviewed, and refined by the authors before pre-testing on 20 postpartum mothers for reliability. A template was designed on SPSS (version 20) for entering the coded data. The reliability coefficient of the questionnaire was determined using the Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s Alpha model technique of SPSS (version 20). In this approach, a reliability coefficient not less than 0.5 was used to adjudge the questionnaire as being reliable. The pre-test showed a reliability coefficient of 0.975, implying that the instrument was reliable. Revisions were made to the instrument before it was finally used. To ensure quality data were collected, trained field assistants were used to administer the questionnaires. They provided further clarifications and explanations to questions, thereby ensuring correct answers were elicited. A purposive sampling technique was used to select participants from a cluster of postpartum mothers on postnatal visits within each clinic. Sixty-two postpartum mothers were selected as they came into the clinic in consecutive order for the interview in each of the FCT District Hospitals, Abuja. Consent of the participant was sought before the administration of the questionnaire. There was an explanation of the purpose of the research, the time that would be spent, and the benefits of the research. The questionnaires were collated immediately after each clinic visit, and the field assistant cross-checked them for completeness.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe data were summarised using the mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentages. Bivariate analysis was conducted using the Pearson \u003cem\u003eχ\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e test, and factors associated with the outcome were determined using binary logistic regression analysis at a 95% level of statistical significance. The results of the analysed data were presented using tables and figures.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSocio-demographic characteristics of Respondents\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere was an equal number (62) of respondents represented across all the hospitals in all the locations used (Maitama General Hospital, Gwarinpa General Hospital, Wuse General Hospital, and Asokoro General Hospital). The age of the respondents ranged between 19 and 42 years, with a mean age of 29.8 \u0026plusmn; 4.3 years. A greater percentage of the respondents were within the age groups of 25-34 years (75.8%), while others were within the age group 15-24 years (10.5%) and 35-44 years (13.7%). Most (99.6%) of the postpartum mothers were married, and only 0.4% cohabited. More than half (57.3%) of the respondents have attended tertiary education, while 42.3% have secondary education and 0.4% have primary education.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRespondents\u0026rsquo; Awareness of Family Planning\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 1 shows the number of respondents who have heard of family planning. Among all the reported sources of information on family planning, health clinics (98.5%), health workers (97.2%), friends (43.1%), radio (15.3%), relatives (14.1%) and television (14.1%) were the highest sources of information. Conferences (0.8%), internet (2%), workplace (5.2%) and the church (4.4%) were not as useful in disseminating information about family planning. When asked the type of modern methods they know, condoms (100%), injectable (61.7%), birth control pills (55.6%), implants (50.6%), and IUD (43.1%) were the most mentioned.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;1:\u0026nbsp;Respondents\u0026rsquo;\u0026nbsp;level\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;awareness\u0026nbsp;towards Family Planning\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eN=248\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"577\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAwareness-related variables\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYes (%)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo (%)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEver\u0026nbsp;heard\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;Family\u0026nbsp;Planning\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e248 (100)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSource\u0026nbsp;of information\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRelatives\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35 (14.17)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e213 (85.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFamily\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e107 (43.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e141 (56.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHealth clinic\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e245 (98.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (1.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWorkplace\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13 (5.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e235 (94.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTelevision\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35\u0026nbsp;(14.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e213 (85.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInternet\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5 (2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e243 (98)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eConferences\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2 (0.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e246 (99.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNewspaper\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5 (2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e243 (98)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eChurch\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11 (4.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e237 (95.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRadio\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38\u0026nbsp;(15.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e210 (84.7)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHealth worker\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e241 (97.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7 (2.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eType\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;modern\u0026nbsp;Family planning\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003emethod\u0026nbsp;aware of\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInjectables\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e153 (61.7)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e95\u0026nbsp;(38.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBirth\u0026nbsp;control pills\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e138 (55.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e110 (44.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVaginal ring\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6 (2.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e242 (97.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIUD\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e107 (43.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e141 (56.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVasectomy\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8 (3.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e240 (96.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eImplants\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e126 (50.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e122 (49.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFemale sterilization\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9 (3.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e239 (96.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCervical cap\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10 (4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e238 (96)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCondom\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e248 (100)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42.9809%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePatch\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 27.383%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (1.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 29.636%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e245 (98.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFertility Preferences of Respondents\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom Table 2, the majority of the postpartum mothers were within the postpartum period of 7 weeks \u0026ndash; 3 months (39.9%) and 7 months \u0026ndash; 9 months (30.2%). The findings showed that 38.7% of the respondents had only one child, while 28.6% and 20.2% had two and three children, respectively. Only 7.3% and 5.2% had four or more children, respectively. More than 80% said they desire to have another child, while 19% said they do not desire to have another child. 71% of the postpartum mothers who wish to have more children want a child later, 6% want it soon, and 2% were undecided about when to have it.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFigure 1 shows a decrease in the percentage of mothers who desire to have another child with an increase in the respondents\u0026apos; parity level. The desire was highest (97.9%) among mothers with one living child and lowest (15.4%) among mothers with more than four living children.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;2:\u0026nbsp;Respondents\u0026rsquo;\u0026nbsp;Fertility Preferences\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFertility Preference\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eN\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e%\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNo\u0026nbsp;of living\u0026nbsp;children (N=248)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOne\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e96\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTwo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e71\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFour\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMore\u0026nbsp;than 4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePostpartum\u0026nbsp;period (N=248)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1-6 weeks\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e55\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7weeks\u0026nbsp;\u0026ndash; 3months\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e99\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e39.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4-6 months\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7-9 months\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e75\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10-12 months\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDesire\u0026nbsp;to have\u0026nbsp;another\u0026nbsp;child (N=248)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e201\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e81\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e47\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAdditional\u0026nbsp;number\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;children\u0026nbsp;desired to have\u0026nbsp;(N=248)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOne\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e71\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTwo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e84\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e33.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e27\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMore\u0026nbsp;than 3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNone\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e47\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTiming\u0026nbsp;of next\u0026nbsp;birth (N=248)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWill\u0026nbsp;want\u0026nbsp;to have\u0026nbsp;another\u0026nbsp;soon (within\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eone\u0026nbsp;year\u0026nbsp;of delivery)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWill\u0026nbsp;want to\u0026nbsp;have\u0026nbsp;another\u0026nbsp;later (after\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003etwo years\u0026nbsp;of delivery)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e176\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e71\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWill\u0026nbsp;want to have\u0026nbsp;another\u0026nbsp;but have not\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003edecided\u0026nbsp;when to\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAm\u0026nbsp;undecided about having\u0026nbsp;another\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eI\u0026nbsp;want\u0026nbsp;no more\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e47\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePerceived\u0026nbsp;ideal\u0026nbsp;number of children\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e(N=248)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTwo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e88\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFour\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e121\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e48.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 51.2111%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMore\u0026nbsp;than 4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 21.7993%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e34\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.9896%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe pattern of utilisation of contraceptives among respondents\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore than half (56.5%) of the respondents expressed their desire to use contraceptives, while only 15.3% are currently using contraceptives. When respondents who do not desire to use a family planning method were asked the reasons for their lack of desire, most (35.2%) mentioned its \u0026ldquo;side effects\u0026rdquo;, while 31.5% said \u0026ldquo;they don\u0026rsquo;t think it is necessary\u0026rdquo;. Other reasons mentioned included \u0026ldquo;future use after birth 10%\u0026rdquo;, lack of husband\u0026rsquo;s approval 11.1%, and religion 3.7%. More details are shown in Table 3.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBirth control pills were the most used modern contraceptive at 28.9%, followed by IUCD (Intra Uterine Contraceptive Devices), 18.4% and condoms, 18.4%. The method that was least mentioned was patch 0.4%. See Figure 2.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;3:\u0026nbsp;Respondents\u0026rsquo;\u0026nbsp;pattern\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;utilisation\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;modern\u0026nbsp;contraceptive\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"515\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 56.2016%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePattern of utilisation of modern family planning methods\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 31.5891%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eN\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12.2093%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e%\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 56.2016%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDesire to use any modern contraceptive N = 248\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 31.5891%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12.2093%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 56.2016%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 31.5891%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e140\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12.2093%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e56.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 56.2016%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 31.5891%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e103\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12.2093%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 56.2016%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUndecided\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 31.5891%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12.2093%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 56.2016%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCurrent use of any modern contraceptive N = 248\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 31.5891%;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12.2093%;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 56.2016%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 31.5891%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12.2093%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 56.2016%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 31.5891%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e210\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12.2093%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e84.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 56.2016%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 31.5891%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12.2093%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 56.2016%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRespondent\u0026rsquo;s reasons for not desiring to use a contraceptive method* n = 108\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 31.5891%;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12.2093%;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 56.2016%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eI do not think it is necessary\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 31.5891%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e34\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12.2093%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 56.2016%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eChildren are from God and should not be controlled\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 31.5891%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12.2093%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 56.2016%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMy religion does not approve of it\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 31.5891%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12.2093%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 56.2016%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIt has side effects\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 31.5891%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12.2093%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 56.2016%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWill use after childbirth\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 31.5891%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12.2093%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 56.2016%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eI do not have my husband\u0026apos;s approval\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 31.5891%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12.2093%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 56.2016%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eI had a delay before childbirth and do not want to delay it again\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 31.5891%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12.2093%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 56.2016%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHealth reasons\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 31.5891%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12.2093%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 56.2016%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eI know how to control myself\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 31.5891%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12.2093%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 56.2016%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMy husband travelled\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 31.5891%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12.2093%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 56.2016%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInadequate information on family planning\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 31.5891%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12.2093%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e*open responses\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCurrent use of contraceptives among respondents by some social demographic\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003echaracteristics\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 4 shows that 13.7% of postpartum mothers currently using a modern family planning method are aged 25-34, while the least (0.4%) are in the 15\u0026ndash;24-year age group. Modern family planning usage is highest (10.5%) among postpartum mothers with tertiary education. Among the 84.7% of postpartum mothers not currently using any modern family planning, 34.5% are within the postpartum period of 7 weeks to 3 months, and 22.6% are in the 7 to 9 months range. Use of modern family planning is highest among postpartum mothers with two (4.4%) and three (5.2%) children. 36.3% of postpartum mothers with only one child are not currently using a modern family planning method.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 4: Current use of any modern family planning method among respondents by Age, level of education, postpartum period, location of health clinic and number of living children N = 248\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; Current use of the modern\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; family planning method\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 157px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSocio\u0026nbsp;demographic ch\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003earacteristics\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYes (%)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 134px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo (%)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 157px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAge\u0026nbsp;at last birthday\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ein years\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15 \u0026ndash; 24\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (0.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 134px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25\u0026nbsp;(10.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25 \u0026ndash; 34\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e34\u0026nbsp;(13.7)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 134px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e154 (62.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 157px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35 \u0026ndash; 44\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (1.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 134px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31\u0026nbsp;(12.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 157px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLevel\u0026nbsp;of education\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePrimary\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 134px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (0.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 157px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSecondary\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12 (4.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 134px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e93\u0026nbsp;(37.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 157px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTertiary\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26\u0026nbsp;(10.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 134px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e116 (46.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 157px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePostpartum period\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1-6 weeks\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (0.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 134px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e51\u0026nbsp;(20.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 157px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7weeks-3months\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14 (5.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 134px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e85\u0026nbsp;(34.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 157px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4-6months\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (1.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 134px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14 (5.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 157px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7-9months\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19 (7.7)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 134px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e56 (22.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 157px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10-12months\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (0.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 134px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4 (1.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 157px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLocation\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;health clinic\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMaitama\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11 (4.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 134px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e51 920.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 157px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLife camp\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(Gwarimpa)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10 (4.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 134px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e52\u0026nbsp;(21.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 157px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAsokoro\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9 (3.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 134px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e53\u0026nbsp;(21.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 157px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWuse\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8 (3.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 134px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e54\u0026nbsp;(21.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 157px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNo of living children\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOne\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6 (2.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 134px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e90\u0026nbsp;(36.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 157px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTwo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11 (4.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 134px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e60\u0026nbsp;(24.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 157px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13 (5.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 134px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e37\u0026nbsp;(14.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 157px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFour\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6 (2.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 134px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12 (4.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 157px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMore\u0026nbsp;than 4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2 (0.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 134px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11 (4.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpousal communication among\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003erespondents\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e71% of respondents have ever discussed family planning with their spouses, while about 29% have never discussed family planning with their spouses. 63.7% discuss family planning methods always with their spouses (See Table 5a)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpousal\u0026nbsp;communication\u0026nbsp;on\u0026nbsp;modern\u0026nbsp;family\u0026nbsp;planning methods among respondents was categorised into frequent spousal communication and infrequent spousal communication. frequent spousal communication refers to women who have ever discussed family planning with their spouse, and this discussion occurs frequently. In contrast, infrequent spousal communication refers to those who have never discussed family planning with their spouses or rarely discuss it. The majority (63.7%) of the respondents had frequent spousal communication, while 36.3% had infrequent spousal communication. Details are provided in Table 5b below.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;5a-b:\u0026nbsp;Spousal\u0026nbsp;Communication\u0026nbsp;on\u0026nbsp;Family\u0026nbsp;Planning\u0026nbsp;among\u0026nbsp;respondents\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eN = 248\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"626\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 359px;\"\u003e\n \u003col\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpousal Communication\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003c/ol\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eN\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 144px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e%\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 359px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEver\u0026nbsp;discussed\u0026nbsp;Family\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlanning with spouse\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 144px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 359px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e176\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 144px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e71\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 359px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e72\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 144px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 359px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrequency\u0026nbsp;of spousal\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ecommunication\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 144px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 359px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNever\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e72\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 144px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 359px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFrequently\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e158\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 144px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e64\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 359px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRarely\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 144px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 359px;\"\u003e\n \u003col start=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCategories of spousal communication\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003c/ol\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eN\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 144px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e%\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 359px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInfrequent\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e90\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 144px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e36.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 359px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFrequent\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e158\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 144px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e63.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAssociation between spousal communication and family planning use\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on Pearson\u0026rsquo;s Chi-squared test, there is a significant association between spousal communication and contraceptive use (\u0026chi;2 = 15.65, \u003cem\u003ep-value\u003c/em\u003e = 0.0001, df = 1). Mothers with frequent spousal communication were more likely to use family planning methods compared to those with infrequent communication. Further results from the Yule coefficient indicate a strong positive association (Q = 0.784). The odds ratio of 8.25 (95% CI: 2.46\u0026ndash;27.66) shows that the odds of using family planning are almost eight times higher among couples with frequent spousal communication compared to those with infrequent spousal communication. Since the 95% confidence interval value of the Odds Ratio is greater than one, the association is statistically significant and not likely to have occurred by chance. More details are provided in Table 6 below.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;6:\u0026nbsp;Association\u0026nbsp;between\u0026nbsp;spousal\u0026nbsp;communication\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;family\u0026nbsp;planning use\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eN = 248\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"569\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"6\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 569px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Family Planning Use\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 142px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpousal communication\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 113px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u0026nbsp;(%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u0026nbsp;(%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal\u0026nbsp;(%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 0px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 113px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInfrequent\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3(3.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e87(96.7)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e90(100)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 0px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 113px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFrequent\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35(22.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e123(77.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e158(100)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 0px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 113px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38(15.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e210(84.7)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e248(100)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 0px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"5\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 569px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eObserved X\u003csup\u003e2\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sup\u003e= 15.65 \u0026nbsp; Critical X\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e = 3.84 \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;P = 0.0001 df = 1 \u0026nbsp;Q of Yule = 0.784 \u0026nbsp; OR = 8.25 \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;CI (95%) = [2.46-27.66]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 0px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study found that while awareness of family planning was universal among postpartum mothers, actual contraceptive use was low at 15.3%, despite 56.5% expressing a desire to use it. Fertility preferences showed that the desire for more children declined as the number of living children increased. Most women cited fear of side effects, lack of perceived need, and husband\u0026rsquo;s disapproval as barriers. Importantly, women who had supportive and open communication with their spouses were significantly more likely to use family planning methods.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe study explored fertility preferences and spousal communication on contraceptives among postpartum mothers attending maternal and child health clinics in four district hospitals in Abuja, Nigeria.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll the respondents had heard of family planning and were aware of at least one contraceptive method, just as reported in some studies (Prateek et al., 2012; Doctor et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e). However, almost half (43.1%) of the mothers reported friends as their source of information, which makes it possible for them to be exposed to non-factual and inadequate information on family planning.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe findings from the study showed that although more than half (81%) of the respondents said they desired to have another child, only a few (6%) wanted it soon, while a higher proportion (71%) wanted it later. When comparing this result with 2013 and 2018 NDHS data, fewer mothers reported wanting to have another child soon, while more wanted another later (NPC 2018). Also, about 19% of the postpartum mothers in this study did not desire to have another child. This shows that there is a good proportion of Nigerian postpartum mothers whose fertility option is to either delay or limit childbearing.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKodzi et al (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e) in a study conducted in Ghana argued that mothers’ fertility preferences change over time for various reasons but may remain constant when their ideal family size is attained. In this study, a number of mothers reported their perceived ideal number of children to be “four”, and interestingly, the study found that mothers with four living children were the least likely to desire another child. This therefore shows a possible relationship between parity level and fertility preferences. Four being the ideal number of children for most mothers in this study also suggests a reduction in the desire for large families among Nigerian mothers. Over the years, the total fertility rate in Nigeria has declined from 6.0 births per woman as estimated in 1990 to 5.5 in 2013 and then to 5.3 in the latest 2018 NDHS (NPC 2018).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe result of this study also showed that more than half of the postpartum mothers desire to use a family planning method. This shows their future intention to use a modern contraceptive, which is a good indication of future high demand and use if all the impediments hindering its uptake are removed. Although family planning services were provided at the health facilities where the study was conducted, only 15.3% were current users. Studies have reported that visiting a health clinic is strongly related to the use of contraceptives if contraceptive methods can only be obtained in a clinic (Cleland et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2006\u003c/span\u003e; Darroch et al., 2011; Ahmed et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e). However, this study shows otherwise. More so, a study among Ethiopian mothers confirmed that, while there is a strong association between clinic visits and contraceptive use, this association are not overly correlated (Gordon et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e). Similar to another study (Shumet et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e), the major reasons mentioned in this study for not desiring to use a contraceptive are its side effects (35.2%) and the fact that the mothers think it is not necessary (31.5%) and this is likely to be addressed with prenatal counselling as mentioned in another study with a similar study population (Boulware et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). In this study, 11.2% of postpartum mothers cited a lack of husband’s approval as a barrier to family planning. Studies have shown that women may not take up a service without their husband’s consent (Sinai et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Iluno et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). This underscores the strong influence of partners on unmet contraceptive needs, highlighting the need for greater male involvement in family planning programs.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFindings indicate that contraceptive use is low for mothers with only one child, peaks for those with three children, and declines for mothers with four or more. Additionally, usage is highest among postpartum mothers with tertiary education, and this is consistent with the 2018 NDHS, which shows that contraceptive use in Nigeria increases with educational attainment and the number of living children (NPC 2018). Many postpartum mothers in this study who do not use modern family planning methods are in the postpartum periods of 7 weeks to 3 months and 7 to 9 months. This was also reported by Ross and Winfrey (2001) that many women do not use contraception after giving birth and become pregnant again sooner than desired. This underscores the need for targeted interventions during these critical phases. Many women may delay adopting contraceptives after childbirth, resulting in unintended pregnancies.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study revealed a strong positive association between spousal communication and contraceptive uptake. Similar to findings in other studies (Fagbamigbe and Ojebuyi \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Asa et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; Zelalem et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e), women who discuss family planning frequently with their spouses are more likely to use a contraceptive than mothers who do not. This finding highlights the potential role of contraceptive spousal dialogue in promoting family planning interventions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStudy Limitation\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study was conducted with a small sample size within facilities based around major cities in Abuja, hence excluding mothers across other areas within the country, which may affect the generalisation of the results among postpartum mothers in Nigeria. However, scientific steps were taken in the selection of study participants while carrying out the study so that the result would constitute a fair reflection of the phenomenon among postpartum mothers.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e "},{"header":"Conclusion and Recommendations","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study reveals a gap between awareness and actual use of modern contraceptives among postpartum mothers in Abuja. Although knowledge of family planning methods was universal and mainly sourced from health facilities and providers, only 15.3% of respondents reported current use. This suggests that awareness alone is insufficient to drive uptake, and deeper social, cultural, and interpersonal factors may hinder adoption. Notably, fear of side effects, misconceptions about the necessity of contraception, and lack of spousal approval were key barriers. These findings echo those of previous studies in similar settings, emphasizing the importance of addressing myths, misinformation, and gender dynamics. Health workers have a role to play in reassuring, educating, and finding the best methods that best suit each woman in order to debunk their fears and other misconceptions around contraceptives while helping them delay or limit childbearing.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe findings revealed that fertility preferences also influenced contraceptive behaviour. While 81% of mothers desired more children, most preferred to wait at least two years, aligning with healthy timing and spacing recommendations. However, the desire for additional children declined sharply with the number of living children—only 15.4% of mothers with five children wanted more, compared to 97.9% of those with one. This trend reflects a natural progression in reproductive goals and highlights the importance of providing targeted family planning counselling as women’s fertility intentions evolve. Although there was a high desire to use contraceptives, only 15% of the respondents were currently using them, which suggests that the intention to use does not always translate into actual use.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSpousal communication emerged as a significant predictor of contraceptive use. Mothers who communicate frequently with their spouses are eight times more likely to use family planning. This underscores the urgent need to include men in family planning interventions, encouraging shared decision-making and mutual support.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe study reveals the influence of spousal communication and the extent to which the burden of unmet needs for contraceptives and intention to use falls within the first year of postpartum. When mothers are not captured in this period to use a contraceptive, there is an increased risk of unintended pregnancies, which may eventually lead to increased unsafe abortions, poor maternal and child health outcomes, and other related negative reproductive health issues. Therefore, there is a need to focus family planning interventions on mothers within their first year postpartum and their spouses to assist them in achieving their contraceptive intentions and needs.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Abbreviations","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionList\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eFCT\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFederal Capital Territory\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eIUCD\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eIntra Uterine Contraceptive Device\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eSDG\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSustainable Development Goals\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eNDHS\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNational Demographic Health Survey\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eNPC\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNational Population Commission\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eNR\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNon\u0026ndash;response Rate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eUI\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUniversity of Ibadan\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eUCH\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUniversity College Hospital\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors\u0026rsquo; Contribution:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eA.C.I. conducted the research and wrote the main manuscript text. A.O.A. supervised the research and reviewed the manuscript. I.I. reviewed the result presentation and the entire manuscript.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgements:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThe authors would like to acknowledge the support of all the hospitals and the postpartum mothers who voluntarily participated in this research.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for Publication:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eNot Applicable as no identifier was required.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability of data and materials:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eData analysed are available upon request from the corresponding author.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting Interest:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eNone to Declare\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThis study received no grant from any institution/company/university.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthical statement\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEthical approval was provided by the joint University of Ibadan and University College Hospital (UI/UCH) Ethics and Review Committee and by the Federal Capital Territory Health Research Ethics Committee.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdamou BM, Iskarpatyoti BS, Agala CB, Mejia C. 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Open Access J Contracept. 2021;12:45\u0026ndash;62. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003e10.2147/OAJC.S285358\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.2147/OAJC.S285358\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"contraception-and-reproductive-medicine","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"carm","sideBox":"Learn more about [Contraception and Reproductive Medicine](http://contraceptionmedicine.biomedcentral.com)","snPcode":"40834","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/40834/3","title":"Contraception and Reproductive Medicine","twitterHandle":"@BioMedCentral","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC/SO AJ","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Family planning, Fertility preference, Contraceptive, Postpartum mothers","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6411524/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6411524/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eBackground\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe postpartum period is linked to a high risk of unintended pregnancies, contributing to the high fertility rate in Nigeria. The study investigated the fertility preferences and spousal communication on contraceptives among postpartum mothers attending maternal and child health clinics in Abuja district hospitals.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, and 248 postpartum mothers were purposely selected from a cluster of women attending a postnatal clinic across four district hospitals in Abuja. The data were summarised using mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentages, and bivariate analysis was conducted using the Pearson χ2 test at a 95% level of statistical significance.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe respondents\u0026rsquo; fertility preferences showed that about 80% desire to have another child; however, only a few desire to have a child soon, while over 70% want a child later. This desire to have another child increases as the parity level decreases. The study revealed a strong desire to use a contraceptive method (56.5%), with only 15.3% of the respondents being current users. The data showed significant association (P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.0001) between frequent spousal communication and contraceptive uptake.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusion\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study revealed a high unmet need for spacing, a strong desire for contraceptives and a low uptake among postpartum mothers. Improving access to family planning methods and including spousal communication in family planning interventions can help postpartum mothers fulfil fertility preferences, reducing unintended pregnancies and negative reproductive health issues.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Examining fertility preferences and spousal communication on contraceptive uptake among postpartum mothers in Nigeria","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-05-07 08:25:26","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6411524/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-06-04T06:28:10+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-04-30T12:17:20+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-04-21T12:22:32+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"41211295853275409944554816713252915745","date":"2025-04-18T07:48:31+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"268475176849547625759840051853646810856","date":"2025-04-18T06:23:51+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"201750697839411860174251818958347384797","date":"2025-04-17T10:54:13+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-04-16T03:37:30+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-04-14T02:20:15+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-04-10T01:54:41+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Contraception and Reproductive Medicine","date":"2025-04-09T11:29:05+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"contraception-and-reproductive-medicine","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"carm","sideBox":"Learn more about [Contraception and Reproductive Medicine](http://contraceptionmedicine.biomedcentral.com)","snPcode":"40834","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/40834/3","title":"Contraception and Reproductive Medicine","twitterHandle":"@BioMedCentral","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC/SO AJ","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"e61a1d05-13cb-4b65-8960-da86ccc08b30","owner":[],"postedDate":"May 7th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-02-02T16:05:17+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-6411524","link":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40834-026-00428-0","journal":{"identity":"contraception-and-reproductive-medicine","isVorOnly":false,"title":"Contraception and Reproductive Medicine"},"publishedOn":"2026-01-27 15:58:00","publishedOnDateReadable":"January 27th, 2026"},"versionCreatedAt":"2025-05-07 08:25:26","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1186/s40834-026-00428-0","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40834-026-00428-0","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-6411524","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6411524","identity":"rs-6411524","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}