Use and Discontinuation of Contraceptives Among Women of Reproductive Age in Port Harcourt

Use and Discontinuation of Contraceptives Among Women of Reproductive Age in Port Harcourt | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Use and Discontinuation of Contraceptives Among Women of Reproductive Age in Port Harcourt Edidiong Nsikan Ekong, Joshua Edet Ifere This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8797371/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background Contraceptive use and discontinuation as well as unexpected pregnancy and other demographic consequences, is a significant predictor of contraceptive prevalence, as it elevates the unmet need for family planning (FP) which in turn has an implication for FP services. This study sought to determine the prevalence of contraceptive use and discontinuation, the reasons for discontinuation and the association between contraceptive discontinuation and selected socio-demographic variables. Materials and Methods A community-based cross-sectional study of household survey was conducted using a mixed method design. A multi-stage sampling technique was utilised to select 321 women of reproductive age who has ever used a method of contraception for the quantitative aspect and purposive sampling method was utilised to select 32 participants for the qualitative aspect. Primary data was extracted from respondents using semi-structured questionnaire and a Focus Group Discussion guide. Quantitative data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25 and Chi-square test of association; qualitative data was analysed using NVivo 12. Results The prevalence of contraceptive use during this study was 9.97%. The prevalence of contraceptive discontinuation was 34.95% at 12 months, 40.83% at 24 months and 24.22% beyond 24 months. Method-specific prevalence of contraceptive discontinuation at 12 months was ovulation and withdrawal methods (44.44% each), Rhythm (33.33%), injectable (37.50%), pill (35.62%), condom (33.33%), Implant (30.56%) and IUCD (23.08%). The reasons given by the respondents for discontinuation was side effect. Conclusion The prevalence of contraceptive use was low and the prevalence of contraceptive discontinuation was high which indicates that contraceptive uptake and continuance is still an issue of concern. Age and marital status were found to be associated with contraceptive discontinuation and side effects was found to be the primary reason for contraceptive discontinuation. Contraceptive use discontinuation Family planning women of reproductive age prevalence unmet need Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 INTRODUCTION Contraception which is embedded in family planning, is prominent in the demographic and health literatures because of its vast benefits in decelerating unmanageable growing rate of the populace and, lowering the disease rate and the death rate of mothers through prevention of untimely conception and childbirths. 1 , 2 Hence, it is not only limited to the positive effects on health-related outcomes 3 but has the benefit of improving schooling and economic outcomes for girls, women and the society at large. 4 The term “Family Planning (FP) is often used interchangeably with contraception but they don’t share the same meaning as planning a family differs from preventing an unwanted pregnancy. However, the later is incorporated in the former. Contraception also known as fertility control refers to the voluntary or intentional prevention of pregnancy which entails the interruption of sequential activities that bring forth pregnancy either by artificial or natural means. The methods of FP are commonly classified into modern or non-modern methods. 5 Modern methods comprise of the reversible methods (barrier methods, hormonal methods and the emergency methods of contraception) and the irreversible methods such as the female sterilization (tubal ligation) and the male sterilization (Vasectomy). The term “non-modern” methods of contraception is a collective term adapted by Hubacher & Trussell, 5 due to its ease and simplicity in use and understanding, as labels incorporating terms such as “traditional methods”, “natural methods” or “physiological methods” and others were subject to disagreement and setbacks by different school of thoughts. This category includes all Fertility Awareness Based Methods (FABMs), withdrawal method, abstinence and utilising other strategies that aids to forecast the days a woman can easily get pregnant. Not all discontinuation is problematic as some women discontinue a particular method because it is difficult to use or its use is unacceptable to either the woman or her partner, and subsequently switch to a more suitable method, 6 others discontinue because they no longer have a need for contraception. In contrast, women who discontinue their method of contraception despite their desire to limit or delay childbearing represent an extremely important reproductive health problem. 7 This is regarded as a major public health concern as it can lead to unwanted pregnancies, and some of these pregnancies may be terminated by unsafe means. 8 Therefore, it is not only limited to unwanted pregnancy but also its adverse reproductive health outcomes and its negative implication on family planning programs. 9 The rate at which women discontinue the use of a method due to reported side effects may signal the need for improved counselling, and that information about the method needs to be communicated more effectively. High levels of discontinuation due to access or availability problems suggest that supply and or distribution mechanisms need examination as it would help identify the inadequacies of particular types of service delivery and the potential effects of contemplated changes in modes. Also, this study would help reveal the disparities and inequalities within local settings in Port Harcourt metropolis which may influence the use and the discontinuation of a method and in turn would help programme planners at the local government level to improve on targeted interventions which would be effective in such settings. Finally, this study will contribute to the general body of knowledge on the contraceptive method use and the discontinuation trend in Port Harcourt metropolis which has an implication on the total fertility rate and the contraceptive prevalence rate of Rivers state and Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHOD Study Design and Setting This study utilised a descriptive, cross-sectional survey design with a mixed method of data collection over a 5 months period from women of reproductive age living within the study communities in Port Harcourt metropolis of Rivers state, Nigeria. Study Population The respondents in this study were sexually active, non-pregnant women between 15 and 49 years of age who were currently residing in the Metropolis of Port Harcourt at the time of study as well as women of different socio-economic classes who have used any method of contraception. Women who were planning to get pregnant within the study period and within the next one year were not considered. Sampling Method The quantitative aspect employed a multistage sampling method to recruit 321 study participants. Seemingly, the qualitative aspect employed purposive sampling to select 32 study participants based on the preselected criteria that was relevant to the study. Four (4) FGD sessions was held with each of the sessions involving eight participants hence, the allocation of sessions was evenly distributed between the selected LGAs. Data Collection/Instrumentation Primary quantitative data was collected using pretested, semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire which was developed to measure the study objectives. This questionnaire contained a total of 30 questions which was designed from literatures of similar studies such as that of Belete et al., and Mahande et al. 10,11 Considering the qualitative aspect, a properly designed Focused Group Discussion (FGD) guide which contained open ended questions and probes was developed from existing literatures of related studies 12 and used to collect primary qualitative data aimed at measuring the objectives relevant to this study. Pretesting of instruments (Questionnaires & FGD guide) as well as other tools necessary for this study was carried out on a different population to check for errors and faults. Adjustments were made where necessary before commencement of the actual data collection in the study population. Data was collected for a period of about three months duration, the quality of the data was maintained through translation of questionnaires and FGD guides to the local pidgin English for subjects who could not understand the Queen’s English, revision of completed data each day of collection was done to avoid mistakes, incomplete or missing data. The data collection team for the quantitative aspect consisted of three personnel i.e. the researcher who served as the facilitator of the discussion, a recorder (who ensured that data from participants were recorded both manually and electronically) and a third person (a health personnel versed at qualitative data collection). Consent for participation was obtained verbally from each participant before commencement of the discussion. The four FGDs were conducted as follows; two FGD sessions composed of adolescent girls (15-19 years) single, cohabiting and married while, the other two FGD session were composed of women ages 20-49 years. Statistical Analysis Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS version 25. Qualitative data analysis was done using NVivo 12, a software program used for qualitative and mixed-method research. A content analysis approach was used for this analysis. In order to find out emerging themes, recorded responses from participants were coded into themes and sub-themes. Coding frequency was done to show the most frequently occurring themes. ETHICAL APPROVAL Consent: A written form consent was obtained from each of the study participants for the quantitative study while a verbal consent was obtained for the qualitative study after explaining the aims and objectives of the study, the anticipated risk and potential benefit of the study to them before proceeding on the research work. Ethical Clearance: Ethical approval and clearance was obtained from the institution research ethics committee of the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State which is in line with National Health research ethics committee and Helsinki Declaration. RESULTS Response Rate/Completeness of Data A total of 321 women of reproductive age were incorporated for the quantitative aspect of this study and 32 participants took part in the qualitative aspect and the response rate was 100%. Quantitative Study findings Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Respondents Table 1: Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents who ever used a method of contraception. Variables Number Percentage Age 15-19 20- 29 30-39 40-49 Mean Range (min, max) Marital Status Married Cohabiting Never-married Widow Divorced Religion Christian Islam Ethnicity Rivers Non-Rivers Educational Status Junior Secondary Senior secondary Diploma Undergraduate Graduate Occupation Employed Unemployed Student 37 135 117 32 29.27 ± 7.97 years (15, 49) years 139 24 126 22 10 279 42 233 88 0 37 77 69 138 148 62 111 11.53 42.06 36.44 9.97 43.30 7.48 39.25 6.85 3.12 86.91 13.08 72.59 27.41 0.00 11.52 23.99 21.49 42.99 46.12 19.31 34.58 Table 1 shows that the mean age of respondents in this study was 29.27 years (SD ±7.97). 11.52% (37) have attained the secondary level of education with the remaining making up undergraduates (21.49%), diploma (23.99%), and graduates (42.99%). With regards to ethnicity, 72.59% (233) of participants were from Rivers state and 27.41% (88) were non-Rivers who resided in the metropolis of Port Harcourt as at the time of study. Prevalence of Contraceptive Use: The prevalence of contraceptive use was found to be 9.97% and this represented the number of participants who reported to be using a method of contraception at the time of study. The mean age of respondents who were using a method of contraception during the study period was 26.06 years (SD ±5.56). Prevalence of Contraceptive Discontinuation: Table 2: All-method and method-specific prevalence of contraceptive discontinuation among respondents . Method of Contraception Discontinued Duration of Use 24 months N (%) Total N (%) Condom 7 (33.33) 9 (42.86) 5 (23.81) 21 (100.00) Implant 11 (30.56) 15 (41.67) 10 (27.78) 36 (100.00) Injectable 42 (37.50) 45 (40.18) 25 (22.32) 112 (100.00) IUCD 6 (23.08) 13 (50.00) 7 (26.92) 26 (100.00) Ovulation 4 (44.44) 3 (33.33) 2 (22.22) 9 (100.00) Pill 26 (35.62) 28 (38.36) 19 (26.03) 73 (100.00) Rhythm 1 (33.33) 1 (33.33) 1 (33.33) 3 (100.00) Withdrawal 4 (44.44) 4 (44.44) 1 (11.11) 9 (100.00) All Method 101 (34.95) 118 (40.83) 70 (24.22) 289 (100.00) Table 2 shows that the prevalence of contraceptive discontinuation for all methods as well as the method-specific discontinuation at 12 months, 12-24 months and > 24 months. From the table above, the all-method discontinuation rate was 34.95% at 12 months, 40.83% at 24 months and 24.22% beyond 24 months. Figure 2 shows that, ovulation method was highly discontinued among other contemporary methods and non-contemporary methods of birth control at a discontinuation rate of 44.44%. Among the contemporary methods, Injectable had the highest rate of discontinuation (37.50%). Association Between the Method of Contraception Discontinued and Socio-Demographics of Respondents (Age & Marital Status): Table 3: Association between the method of contraception discontinued and the age of respondents Method of contraception discontinued Age (in years) Total 15-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 Condom 9 8 4 0 21 Implant 0 13 15 8 36 Injectable 0 46 46 20 112 IUCD 0 6 16 4 26 Ovulation 0 7 2 0 9 Pill 16 35 22 0 73 Rhythm 0 1 2 0 3 Withdrawal 2 2 5 0 9 Total 27 118 128 32 289 Chi-Square = 106.036; p-value < 0.001, statistically significant Table 3 reveals a statistically significant association of cross tabulation between the contraceptive methods discontinued and the age of the respondents (Chi-Square = 106.036, p< 0.001). Among the modern method of contraception discontinued, it is observed that injectables were highly discontinued among respondents of age groups 20-29 and 30-39. Table 4: Association between the method of contraception discontinued and the marital status of respondents Method of contraception discontinued Marital Status Total Cohabiting Divorced Married Never- married Widow Condom 3 1 2 15 0 21 Implant 3 2 10 15 6 36 Injectable 12 6 63 25 6 112 IUCD 3 2 10 9 2 26 Ovulation 2 0 5 2 0 9 Pill 2 1 37 33 0 73 Rhythm 1 0 1 1 0 3 Withdrawal 2 0 0 4 3 9 Total 28 12 128 104 17 289 Chi-Square = 104.890; p-value< 0.001, statistically significant Table 4 shows a statistically significant association between the respondent’s marital status and the method of contraception discontinued (Chi-Square = 104.890, p< 0.001). Among the modern methods of contraception, injectable had the highest prevalence of discontinuation by respondents of all marital status. Qualitative Findings Social Demographics of Respondents: A total of four (4) FGDs were conducted with 8 participants in each group. The mean age of respondents was 25.36 years (SD± 9.8). Other information are well represented on the table below. Table 5: Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents during the FGD sessions Variable Category Frequency Percentage Age 15-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 15 7 6 4 46.88% 21.88% 18.75% 12.50% Educational level Junior secondary Senior secondary Tertiary 5 16 11 15.63% 50.00% 34.38% Occupation Skilled labour Unskilled labour Unemployed Student 7 9 5 11 21.88% 28.13% 15.63% 34.38% Marital Status Married Never married Cohabiting Widow 14 11 5 2 43.32% 34.38% 15.63% 6.25% Parity 0 1 -2 3-4 5+ 9 6 13 4 28.13% 18.75% 40.63% 12.50% Reasons for discontinuation of contraceptive use Adverse side effects/Method related problems: Bad experiences such as spotting, prolonged and heavy menstrual bleeding during period, headaches, acne, tiredness and weight gain were some of the reasons mentioned by the respondents that lead them to discontinue their method of FP. “ When I began taking the pill, all was going well for about a year and two months before I began experiencing that I was gaining more weight with more pimples on my face and when my period comes, I bleed heavily than I used to, so I stopped and opted for the injection but it didn’t help and had to stop.” 35 years, 2 living children, pill discontinuer. Another participant who was a previous Implant user shared her experience about pain on the upper arm where her implant was inserted; “I stopped the implant because of the pain of having it inserted as the muscle in my arm got sore and ached badly being that I have a sensitive skin. Somehow, I feel the health provider who got the implant inserted for me wasn’t good at it as I hardly hear others complained the way I did.” 43 years married, 3 living children and Implant discontinuer. Inconvenience: “I stopped because I don’t get to recall taking it sometimes and end up with missed pills. I tried using the injection but it wasn’t sustained as I don’t like injections and stopped it after two times of having the injections.” 30, single and Pill discontinuer. Partner’s disapproval/dissatisfaction: “My partner doesn’t feel comfortable with me using any method of contraception as he complained of not enjoying sex with me while I was using the IUCD, I had to stop to save my marriage as it was becoming a serious problem. He prefers to do the pull-out method and said if I get pregnant, we can always have the baby”. 26, married, one living child and a skilled worker. Covid-19 Lockdown: One of the respondents stated COVID-19 pandemic as a reason for discontinuing her method of FP as there was restricted movement and the distance to the health facility was far. Religious oppositions: A respondent narrated how some churches do not support use of birth control methods. Other reasons described include; Reduced need and end of relationship with partner, Rumour about contraceptives, fear of side effects and Inadequate information from the health provider. DISCUSSION Prevalence of contraceptive use The findings from this study reveals a very low prevalence of contraceptive use, lower than the contraceptive prevalence rate among married women in Nigeria as estimated by the National Population Commission. 13 It was also lower than the prevalence reported for that of a survey conducted in 20 African countries and lower than that of a study conducted in Ghana. 14,15 The prevalence of contraceptive use differs by state, country and by method being utilised. While some studies may report a high prevalence of contraceptive use in other studies, 16,17 the difference can only be explained by the study area, the sample size, their intent of contraceptive use and the contraceptive acceptance of that population being studied. From this study, condom was utilised by majority of the participants followed by the oral contraceptive pills and injectable of which this order of preference has been consistent with studies Nigeria. 16,18 The use of condom is associated with two major functions - birth control and prevention of HIV/AIDS and the transmission of other sexually transmissible diseases hence, this may have accounted for the high prevalence of its use. Prevalence of contraceptive discontinuation This study discovered a high prevalence of contraceptive discontinuation, this is consistent with studies conducted in Kenya and Ethiopia. 19,20 While being high, it was higher than that of studies conducted in in Humera town of Ethiopia and Port Harcourt. 10,21 The differences may be due to differences in contraceptive behaviour, belief system, norms and other societal factors/variation in culture as these characteristics differs in different countries. The variation may also be attributed to the differences in health service provision in terms of informed choice, counselling, availability and accessibility of different FP methods amongst others. Considering the method-specific prevalence of discontinuation, at 12 months the most frequent method being discontinued were the non-modern methods of contraception which is consistent with a study conducted in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana. 22 This may infer that; non-modern methods are rapidly being replaced with modern FP methods. Among the modern methods discontinued, injectable had the highest prevalence of discontinuation which is consistent with a study in Nigeria. 21 This however, differed with the study findings from Kenya 19 and Ethiopia 20 and Humera town in Ethiopia 10 , which reported the oral contraceptive pill as the most common modern method discontinued. The differences in the discontinuation rates of each methods could be attributed to method inconvenience as cited by literatures. Association between the methods of contraception discontinued and Age The method of contraception discontinued was significantly associated with age. This study showed that higher rates of discontinuation were evident among age groups who used injectable (age groups 20-29 and 30- 39) and the pill (age groups 15-19, 20-29 and 30-39). This is consistent with findings from a study by Sseninde which stated that younger women are most likely to discontinue a method of contraception as well as women who are young and recently married. 23 Association between the methods of contraception discontinued and marital status The method of contraception discontinued was significantly associated with marital status. This explains that women who are in-union are more likely to discontinue injectables followed by the pill users who are in-union. This is in agreement with a study conducted in Bangladesh indicating that married women are more likely to discontinue a method when they desire conception and as they clock menopause due to reduced need to control fertility. 24 Reasons for discontinuation of contraceptives Among the numerous challenges mentioned as barriers to contraceptive continuation by respondents, heavy bleeding/menstrual irregularities was the predominant and frequent cause leading to discontinuation of FP methods. This finding is consistent with many literatures conducted in different countries such as studies carried out in Ethiopia, 12 rural counties of Migori and Kitui, Kenya 25 , in Nepal 26 in Myanmar 8 and studies conducted in Kano. 27 In as much as many literatures agrees with the findings of this work, a study conducted by Azuike et al., found a different outcome which showed that, the intention to get pregnant, followed by husband’s disapproval amongst other reasons were the primary barriers to contraceptive continuation. 7 Side effect is an issue of concern as menstruation is a sign of fertility and normality as a woman hence, any alteration in the normal cycle and bleeding pattern of a woman is an issue of concern as it impacts well-being. On the other hand, increased bleeding affects women’s socio-economic activities and sexual relationship with their partners, 25 therefore this does not just imply that clients should be provided with adequate information about potential side effects from the health providers, rather efforts to improve and develop new contraceptives adapted to local reproductive ecology may have to be considered. Conclusion This study found a low contraceptive utilization prevalence and a high prevalence of contraceptive discontinuation which indicates that contraceptive utilisation even among women living in an urban areas such as that of the study population is still poor and an issue of concern. Age, marital status and educational level were found to be associated with contraceptive discontinuation and a lot of women who utilised and discontinued their methods of contraception were self-decision makers and of which some opted for their method covertly. The major barrier amongst others that led to discontinuation was the women’s experience of contraceptive side effects which ranged from menstrual irregularities, heavy bleeding, and weight gain to headache. This is evident that there is need to develop effective strategies that would help promote the contraceptive prevalence rate as well as strategies that would encourage continuation and method switching. Limitations of the study Most women of reproductive age were unwilling to participate in the study as it involved giving out information about their sexual and reproductive life which is mostly kept as private to them. The few breastfeeding mothers who were eligible were unresponsive and some gave incomplete data therefore their data were not accounted for. It was difficult organizing women of reproductive age who met the inclusion criteria into groups for the qualitative aspect of this research as they gave their different timing that would be suitable for them. Recommendation To women of reproductive age: Women should ensure they get their FP methods from a FP clinic, hospitals and health centers where proper information are being given concerning contraception and FP and not from chemist shops. Women should ensure they involve their male partners in issues of sexual and reproductive health by discussing contraceptive use with them, encouraging and taking them along to obtain a method. Women should ensure that they ask necessary questions concerning a particular method of preference where they don’t understand and should also ensure that they adhere strictly to information on the use of a method (especially for methods that are being handled by the individual such as pills, condoms, patches etc.) Women should ensure that they report any side effect experienced to their FP health provider for further instructions. To government/ health management bodies: Efforts on male/female education and enlightenment through educational campaigns and advocacy should be improved and encouraged. This can be achieved using all Medias of communication. Strategies that engages the men should be adopted by program implementers since men are the major decision makers in Nigeria. In this regards, joint-decision making should be enhanced between couples/partners through campaign enlightenment on all forms of information route targeted at the men. The government should put in more funds through the ministry of health to encourage health research specific to strategies that can help improve contraceptive use and continuance in local settings and at the state level. The significance of side effect should be considered by evaluating the suitability of available methods through directives from the ministry of health to program planners and evaluators in order that efforts to better improve or develop new contraceptives adapted to local reproductive ecology may be considered, as there may exist incompatibility between physiologic hormonal level of individuals in a particular country and that of the contraceptives currently used which may have been obtained from a donor country. Declarations Declaration of funding: for this research received no external funding Clinical trial number: Not applicable Data availability: The dataset used during the study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. Consent to publish : All participants were provided with comprehensive details about the study, after ensuring that the participants fully understand these details, they were asked to sign an informed consent form to confirm their voluntary participation in the study. I consent to the publishing of this article. Ethical Accordance: Ethical approval and clearance was obtained from the Institutional Research Ethics Committee of the university of port Harcourt, Rivers State in line with the National Health Research Ethics committee and the Helsinki declaration Consent to participate A written informed consent was obtained from each of the study participant for the quantitative study while a verbal informed consent was obtained for the qualitative study after explaining the aims and objectives of the study; the anticipated risk and potential benefits of the study to them before proceeding on the research Author Contribution A author A is the main author and did the bulk of the research, prepared manuscripts and discussed the results from the data, collected qualitative and quantitative data for the researchB author B designed questionaires and analyzed data References 1. Kavanaugh ML, Anderson RM. Contraception and beyond: The health benefits of services provided at family planning centers. 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Open Access J Contracept . 2015;6:13–20. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S82063. 25. Ontiri S, Mutea L, Naanyu V, Kabue M, Biesma R, Stekelenburg J. A qualitative exploration of contraceptive use and discontinuation among women with an unmet need for modern contraception in Kenya. Reprod Health . 2021;18(1):1–10. doi:10.1186/s12978-021-01207-4. 26. Puri MC, Joshi S, Khadka A, Pearson E, Dhungel Y, Shah IH. Exploring reasons for discontinuing use of immediate post-partum intrauterine device in Nepal: a qualitative study. Reprod Health . 2020;17(1):41. doi:10.1186/s12978-020-00923-1. 27. Gadanya MA, Aliyu FE. Determinants of reversible contraceptive method discontinuation among women of reproductive age in Kano metropolis, Nigeria. Ann Afr Med Res . 2021;4:1–6. doi:10.53982/aamr.2021.0401. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. 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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-8797371","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":605167213,"identity":"88b1d732-5379-4181-a667-a8d3480b6059","order_by":0,"name":"Edidiong Nsikan Ekong","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Port Harcourt","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Edidiong","middleName":"Nsikan","lastName":"Ekong","suffix":""},{"id":605167215,"identity":"df94ac70-5fbf-4abe-a714-f13fb336c536","order_by":1,"name":"Joshua Edet Ifere","email":"data:image/png;base64,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","orcid":"","institution":"University of Port Harcourt","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Joshua","middleName":"Edet","lastName":"Ifere","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-02-05 13:08:16","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8797371/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8797371/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":104668840,"identity":"425979c4-e2ee-4790-828f-690299fb9648","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-15 16:57:22","extension":"jpg","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":68878,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eA bar graph showing the methods of contraceptive utilised by respondents during the study period.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8797371/v1/c0090f1a320f803dac36ca0b.jpg"},{"id":104668841,"identity":"6d63c65d-1227-4b99-b8ea-073062949496","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-15 16:57:22","extension":"jpg","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":87509,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eMethod-specific prevalence of contraceptive discontinuation at 12 months among Respondents\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8797371/v1/8cf0bf452a6e64f7fa6f651a.jpg"},{"id":106955840,"identity":"46d56928-91b7-4d13-82c5-49356f563337","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-15 08:15:00","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1445615,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8797371/v1/d5d6f8ba-2562-481f-ad79-dbbb2e39bd27.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003eUse and Discontinuation of Contraceptives Among Women of Reproductive Age in Port Harcourt\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[{"header":"INTRODUCTION","content":"\u003cp\u003eContraception which is embedded in family planning, is prominent in the demographic and health literatures because of its vast benefits in decelerating unmanageable growing rate of the populace and, lowering the disease rate and the death rate of mothers through prevention of untimely conception and childbirths.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e Hence, it is not only limited to the positive effects on health-related outcomes\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e but has the benefit of improving schooling and economic outcomes for girls, women and the society at large.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e The term \u0026ldquo;Family Planning (FP) is often used interchangeably with contraception but they don\u0026rsquo;t share the same meaning as planning a family differs from preventing an unwanted pregnancy. However, the later is incorporated in the former.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eContraception also known as fertility control refers to the voluntary or intentional prevention of pregnancy which entails the interruption of sequential activities that bring forth pregnancy either by artificial or natural means. The methods of FP are commonly classified into modern or non-modern methods.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e Modern methods comprise of the reversible methods (barrier methods, hormonal methods and the emergency methods of contraception) and the irreversible methods such as the female sterilization (tubal ligation) and the male sterilization (Vasectomy). The term \u0026ldquo;non-modern\u0026rdquo; methods of contraception is a collective term adapted by Hubacher \u0026amp; Trussell,\u003csup\u003e5\u003c/sup\u003e due to its ease and simplicity in use and understanding, as labels incorporating terms such as \u0026ldquo;traditional methods\u0026rdquo;, \u0026ldquo;natural methods\u0026rdquo; or \u0026ldquo;physiological methods\u0026rdquo; and others were subject to disagreement and setbacks by different school of thoughts. This category includes all Fertility Awareness Based Methods (FABMs), withdrawal method, abstinence and utilising other strategies that aids to forecast the days a woman can easily get pregnant. Not all discontinuation is problematic as some women discontinue a particular method because it is difficult to use or its use is unacceptable to either the woman or her partner, and subsequently switch to a more suitable method,\u003csup\u003e6\u003c/sup\u003e others discontinue because they no longer have a need for contraception. In contrast, women who discontinue their method of contraception despite their desire to limit or delay childbearing represent an extremely important reproductive health problem.\u003csup\u003e7\u003c/sup\u003e This is regarded as a major public health concern as it can lead to unwanted pregnancies, and some of these pregnancies may be terminated by unsafe means.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e Therefore, it is not only limited to unwanted pregnancy but also its adverse reproductive health outcomes and its negative implication on family planning programs.\u003csup\u003e9\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe rate at which women discontinue the use of a method due to reported side effects may signal the need for improved counselling, and that information about the method needs to be communicated more effectively. High levels of discontinuation due to access or availability problems suggest that supply and or distribution mechanisms need examination as it would help identify the inadequacies of particular types of service delivery and the potential effects of contemplated changes in modes.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlso, this study would help reveal the disparities and inequalities within local settings in Port Harcourt metropolis which may influence the use and the discontinuation of a method and in turn would help programme planners at the local government level to improve on targeted interventions which would be effective in such settings.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinally, this study will contribute to the general body of knowledge on the contraceptive method use and the discontinuation trend in Port Harcourt metropolis which has an implication on the total fertility rate and the contraceptive prevalence rate of Rivers state and Nigeria.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"MATERIALS AND METHOD","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStudy Design and Setting\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study utilised a descriptive, cross-sectional survey design with a mixed method of data collection over a 5 months period from women of reproductive age living within the study communities in Port Harcourt metropolis of Rivers state, Nigeria.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStudy Population\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe respondents in this study were sexually active, non-pregnant women between 15 and 49 years of age who were currently residing in the Metropolis of Port Harcourt at the time of study as well as women of different socio-economic classes who have used any method of contraception. Women who were planning to get pregnant within the study period and within the next one year were not considered.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSampling Method\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe quantitative aspect employed a multistage sampling method to recruit 321 study participants. Seemingly, the qualitative aspect employed purposive sampling to select 32 study participants based on the preselected criteria that was relevant to the study. Four (4) FGD sessions was held with each of the sessions involving eight participants hence, the allocation of sessions was evenly distributed between the selected LGAs.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData Collection/Instrumentation\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrimary quantitative data was collected using pretested, semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire which was developed to measure the study objectives. This questionnaire contained a total of 30 questions which was designed from literatures of similar studies such as that of Belete et al., and Mahande et al.\u003csup\u003e10,11\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConsidering the qualitative aspect, a properly designed Focused Group Discussion (FGD) guide which\u0026nbsp;contained open ended questions and probes was developed from existing literatures of related studies\u003csup\u003e12\u003c/sup\u003e and used to collect primary qualitative data aimed at measuring the objectives relevant to this study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePretesting of instruments (Questionnaires \u0026amp; FGD guide) as well as other tools necessary for this study was carried out on a different population to check for errors and faults. Adjustments were made where necessary before commencement of the actual data collection in the study population.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eData was collected for a period of about three months duration, the quality of the data was maintained through translation of questionnaires and FGD guides to the local pidgin English for subjects who could not understand the Queen’s English, revision of completed data each day of collection was done to avoid mistakes, incomplete or missing data.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe data collection team for the quantitative aspect consisted of three personnel i.e. the researcher who served as the facilitator of the discussion, a recorder (who ensured that data from participants were recorded both manually and electronically) and a third person (a health personnel versed at qualitative data collection). \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConsent for participation was obtained verbally from each participant before commencement of the discussion. The four FGDs were conducted as follows; two FGD sessions composed of adolescent girls (15-19 years) single, cohabiting and married while, the other two FGD session were composed of women ages 20-49 years.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStatistical Analysis\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuantitative data was analysed using SPSS version 25. Qualitative data analysis was done using NVivo 12, a software program used for qualitative and mixed-method research. A content analysis approach was used for this analysis. In order to find out emerging themes, recorded responses from participants were coded into themes and sub-themes. Coding frequency was done to show the most frequently occurring themes. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eETHICAL APPROVAL\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA written form consent was obtained from each of the study participants for the quantitative study while a verbal consent was obtained for the qualitative study after explaining the aims and objectives of the study, the anticipated risk and potential benefit of the study to them before proceeding on the research work.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthical Clearance:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEthical approval and clearance was obtained from the institution research ethics committee of the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State which is in line with National Health research ethics committee and Helsinki Declaration.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"RESULTS","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResponse Rate/Completeness of Data\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA total of 321 women of reproductive age were incorporated for the quantitative aspect of this study and 32 participants took part in the qualitative aspect and the response rate was 100%.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuantitative Study findings\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSocio-Demographic Characteristics of Respondents\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 1: Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents who ever used a method of contraception.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 199px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariables\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 205px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumber\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 198px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercentage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 199px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 205px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 198px;\"\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: 199px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15-19\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20- 29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30-39\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40-49\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMean\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRange (min, max)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMarital Status\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMarried\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCohabiting\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNever-married\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWidow\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDivorced\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eReligion\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eChristian\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIslam\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEthnicity\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRivers\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNon-Rivers\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEducational Status\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eJunior Secondary\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSenior secondary\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDiploma\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUndergraduate\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGraduate\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOccupation\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEmployed\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUnemployed\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStudent\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 205px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 37\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e135\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e117 \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 32\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 29.27 \u0026plusmn; 7.97 years\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;(15, 49) years\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e139\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 24\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e126\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 22\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 10\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e279\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 42\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e233\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 88\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 37\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 77\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 69\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e138\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;148\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;62\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;111\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 198px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.53\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e42.06\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e36.44\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 9.97\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e43.30\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 7.48\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e39.25\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 6.85\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 3.12\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e86.91\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13.08\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e72.59\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e27.41\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.52\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23.99\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21.49\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e42.99\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e46.12\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19.31\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e34.58\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 1 shows that the mean age of respondents in this study was 29.27 years (SD \u0026plusmn;7.97). 11.52% (37) have attained the secondary level of education with the remaining making up undergraduates (21.49%), diploma (23.99%), and graduates (42.99%). With regards to ethnicity, 72.59% (233) of participants were from Rivers state and 27.41% (88) were non-Rivers who resided in the metropolis of Port Harcourt as at the time of study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrevalence of Contraceptive Use:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe prevalence of contraceptive use was found to be 9.97% and this represented the number of participants who reported to be using a method of contraception at the time of study. The mean age of respondents who were using a method of contraception during the study period was 26.06 years (SD \u0026plusmn;5.56).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrevalence of Contraceptive Discontinuation:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 2: All-method and method-specific prevalence of contraceptive discontinuation among respondents\u003cstrong\u003e.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"\" width=\"636\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethod of Contraception Discontinued\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 498px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDuration of Use\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026lt; 12 months\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eN (%)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e12 - 24 months\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eN (%)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026gt; 24 months\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eN (%)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTotal\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eN (%)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCondom\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;7 (33.33)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 9 (42.86)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 5 (23.81)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 21 (100.00)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eImplant\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;11 (30.56)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 15 (41.67)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10 (27.78)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 36 (100.00)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInjectable\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;42 (37.50)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 45 (40.18)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25 (22.32)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e112 (100.00)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIUCD\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;6 (23.08)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 13 (50.00)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 7 (26.92)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 26 (100.00)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOvulation\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 4 (44.44)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 3 (33.33)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 2 (22.22)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 9 (100.00)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePill\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 26 (35.62) \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 28 (38.36)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19 (26.03)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 73 (100.00)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRhythm\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 1 (33.33)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 1 (33.33)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 1 (33.33)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 3 (100.00)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWithdrawal\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 4 (44.44)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 4 (44.44)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 1 (11.11)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 9 (100.00)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 138px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAll Method\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e101 (34.95)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e118 (40.83)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e70 (24.22)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e289 (100.00)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 2 shows that the prevalence of contraceptive discontinuation for all methods as well as the method-specific discontinuation at 12 months, 12-24 months and \u0026gt; 24 months. From the table above, the all-method discontinuation rate was 34.95% at 12 months, 40.83% at 24 months and 24.22% beyond 24 months.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFigure 2 shows that, ovulation method was highly discontinued among other contemporary methods and non-contemporary methods of birth control at a discontinuation rate of 44.44%. Among the contemporary methods, Injectable had the highest rate of discontinuation (37.50%).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAssociation Between the Method of Contraception Discontinued and Socio-Demographics of Respondents (Age \u0026amp; Marital Status):\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 3: Association between the method of contraception discontinued and the age of respondents\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 288px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethod of contraception discontinued\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 252px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge (in years)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTotal\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e15-19\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e20-29\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e30-39\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e40-49\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 288px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCondom\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 21\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 288px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eImplant\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 13\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 36\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 288px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInjectable\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 46\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 46\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e112\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 288px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIUCD\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 16\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 26\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 288px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOvulation\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 288px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePill\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 35\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 22\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 73\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 288px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRhythm\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 288px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWithdrawal\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 288px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e27\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e118\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e128\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e32\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e289\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChi-Square = 106.036; p-value \u0026lt; 0.001, statistically significant\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 3 reveals a statistically significant association of cross tabulation between the contraceptive methods discontinued and the age of the respondents (Chi-Square = 106.036, p\u0026lt; 0.001). Among the modern method of contraception discontinued, it is observed that injectables were highly discontinued among respondents of age groups 20-29 and 30-39.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 4: Association between the method of contraception discontinued and the marital status of respondents\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 185px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethod of contraception discontinued\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"5\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 379px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarital Status\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTotal\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCohabiting\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDivorced\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarried\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNever- married\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWidow \u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 185px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCondom\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 21\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 185px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eImplant\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;10\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 36\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 185px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInjectable\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 63\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 25\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e112\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 185px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIUCD\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 10\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 26\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 185px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOvulation\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 185px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePill\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 37\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 33\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 73\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 185px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRhythm\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 185px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWithdrawal\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 185px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e128\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 72px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e104\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e289\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChi-Square = 104.890; p-value\u0026lt; 0.001, statistically significant\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 4 shows a statistically significant association between the respondent\u0026rsquo;s marital status and the method of contraception discontinued (Chi-Square = 104.890, p\u0026lt; 0.001). Among the modern methods of contraception, injectable had the highest prevalence of discontinuation by respondents of all marital status.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQualitative Findings\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSocial Demographics of Respondents:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA total of four (4) FGDs were conducted with 8 participants in each group. The mean age of respondents was 25.36 years (SD\u0026plusmn; 9.8). Other information are well represented on the table below.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 5: Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents during the FGD sessions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariable\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCategory\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercentage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15-19\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20-29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30-39\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40-49\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e46.88%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21.88%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18.75%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.50%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\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: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEducational level\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eJunior secondary\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSenior secondary\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTertiary\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15.63%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e50.00%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e34.38%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\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: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOccupation\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSkilled labour\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUnskilled labour\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUnemployed\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStudent\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21.88%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28.13%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15.63%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e34.38%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\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: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarital Status\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMarried\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNever married\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCohabiting\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWidow\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e43.32%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e34.38%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15.63% \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 6.25%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\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: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParity\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 -2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3-4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5+\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28.13%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18.75%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40.63%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.50%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReasons for discontinuation of contraceptive use\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdverse side effects/Method related problems:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBad experiences such as spotting, prolonged and heavy menstrual bleeding during period, headaches, acne, tiredness and weight gain were some of the reasons mentioned by the respondents that lead them to discontinue their method of FP.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eWhen I began taking the pill, all was going well for about a year and two months before I began experiencing that I was gaining more weight with more pimples on my face and when my period comes, I bleed heavily than I used to, so I stopped and opted for the injection but it didn\u0026rsquo;t help and had to stop.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cem\u003e35 years, 2 living children, pill discontinuer.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother participant who was a previous Implant user shared her experience about pain on the upper arm where her implant was inserted;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;I stopped the implant because of the pain of having it inserted as the muscle in my arm got sore and ached badly being that I have a sensitive skin. Somehow, I feel the health provider who got the implant inserted for me wasn\u0026rsquo;t good at it as I hardly hear others complained the way I did.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cem\u003e43 years married, 3 living children and Implant discontinuer.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInconvenience:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;I stopped because I don\u0026rsquo;t get to recall taking it sometimes and end up with missed pills. I tried using the injection but it wasn\u0026rsquo;t sustained as I don\u0026rsquo;t like injections and stopped it after two times of having the injections.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cem\u003e30, single and Pill discontinuer.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePartner\u0026rsquo;s disapproval/dissatisfaction:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;My partner doesn\u0026rsquo;t feel comfortable with me using any method of contraception as he complained of not enjoying sex with me while I was using the IUCD, I had to stop to save my marriage as it was becoming a serious problem. He prefers to do the pull-out method and said if I get pregnant, we can always have the baby\u0026rdquo;.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cem\u003e26, married, one living child and a skilled worker.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCovid-19 Lockdown:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the respondents stated COVID-19 pandemic as a reason for discontinuing her method of FP as there was restricted movement and the distance to the health facility was far.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReligious oppositions:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA respondent narrated how some churches do not support use of birth control methods.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther reasons described include; Reduced need and end of relationship with partner, Rumour about contraceptives, fear of side effects and Inadequate information from the health provider.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"DISCUSSION","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrevalence of contraceptive use\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe findings from this study reveals a very low prevalence of contraceptive use, lower than the contraceptive prevalence rate among married women in Nigeria as estimated by the National Population Commission.\u003csup\u003e13\u003c/sup\u003e It was also lower than the prevalence reported for that of a survey conducted in 20 African countries and lower than that of a study conducted in Ghana.\u003csup\u003e14,15\u003c/sup\u003e The prevalence of contraceptive use differs by state, country and by method being utilised. While some studies may report a high prevalence of contraceptive use in other studies,\u003csup\u003e16,17\u003c/sup\u003e the difference can only be explained by the study area, the sample size, their intent of contraceptive use and the contraceptive acceptance of that population being studied.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom this study, condom was utilised by majority of the participants followed by the oral contraceptive pills and injectable of which this order of preference has been consistent with studies Nigeria.\u003csup\u003e16,18\u003c/sup\u003e The use of condom is associated with two major functions - birth control and prevention of HIV/AIDS and the transmission of other sexually transmissible diseases hence, this may have accounted for the high prevalence of its use.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrevalence of contraceptive discontinuation\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study discovered a high prevalence of contraceptive discontinuation, this is consistent with studies conducted in Kenya and Ethiopia.\u003csup\u003e19,20\u003c/sup\u003e While being high, it was higher than that of studies conducted in in Humera town of Ethiopia and Port Harcourt.\u003csup\u003e10,21\u003c/sup\u003e The differences may be due to differences in contraceptive behaviour, belief system, norms and other societal factors/variation in culture as these characteristics differs in different countries. The variation may also be attributed to the differences in health service provision in terms of informed choice, counselling, availability and accessibility of different FP methods amongst others.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConsidering the method-specific prevalence of discontinuation, at 12 months the most frequent method being discontinued were the non-modern methods of contraception which is consistent with a study conducted in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana.\u003csup\u003e22\u003c/sup\u003e This may infer that; non-modern methods are rapidly being replaced with modern FP methods. Among the modern methods discontinued, injectable had the highest prevalence of discontinuation which is consistent with a study in Nigeria.\u003csup\u003e21\u003c/sup\u003e This however, differed with the study findings from Kenya\u003csup\u003e19\u003c/sup\u003e and Ethiopia\u003csup\u003e20\u003c/sup\u003e and Humera town in Ethiopia\u003csup\u003e10\u003c/sup\u003e, which reported the oral contraceptive pill as the most common modern method discontinued. The differences in the discontinuation rates of each methods could be attributed to method inconvenience as cited by literatures.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAssociation between the methods of contraception discontinued and Age\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe method of contraception discontinued was significantly associated with age. This study showed that higher rates of discontinuation were evident among age groups who used injectable (age groups 20-29 and 30- 39) and the pill (age groups 15-19, 20-29 and 30-39). This is consistent with findings from a study by Sseninde which stated that younger women are most likely to discontinue a method of contraception as well as women who are young and recently married.\u003csup\u003e23\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAssociation between the methods of contraception discontinued and marital status\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe method of contraception discontinued was significantly associated with marital status. This explains that women who are in-union are more likely to discontinue injectables followed by the pill users who are in-union. This is in agreement with a study conducted in Bangladesh indicating that married women are more likely to discontinue a method when they desire conception and as they clock menopause due to reduced need to control fertility.\u003csup\u003e24\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReasons for discontinuation of contraceptives\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the numerous challenges mentioned as barriers to contraceptive continuation by respondents, heavy bleeding/menstrual irregularities was the predominant and frequent cause leading to discontinuation of FP methods. This finding is consistent with many literatures conducted in different countries such as studies carried out in Ethiopia,\u003csup\u003e12\u003c/sup\u003e rural counties of\u0026nbsp;Migori and Kitui,\u0026nbsp;Kenya\u003csup\u003e25\u003c/sup\u003e, in Nepal\u003csup\u003e26\u003c/sup\u003e in Myanmar\u003csup\u003e8\u003c/sup\u003e and studies conducted in Kano.\u003csup\u003e27\u003c/sup\u003e In as much as many literatures agrees with the findings of this work, a study conducted by Azuike et al., found a different outcome which showed that, the intention to get pregnant, followed by husband’s disapproval amongst other reasons were the primary barriers to contraceptive continuation.\u003csup\u003e7\u003c/sup\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSide effect is an issue of concern as menstruation is a sign of fertility and normality as a woman hence, any alteration in the normal cycle and bleeding pattern of a woman is an issue of concern as it impacts well-being. On the other hand, increased bleeding affects women’s socio-economic activities and sexual relationship with their partners,\u003csup\u003e25\u003c/sup\u003e therefore this does not just imply that clients should be provided with adequate information about potential side effects from the health providers, rather efforts to improve and develop new contraceptives adapted to local reproductive ecology may have to be considered.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study found a low contraceptive utilization prevalence and a high prevalence of contraceptive discontinuation which indicates that contraceptive utilisation even among women living in an urban areas such as that of the study population is still poor and an issue of concern. Age, marital status and educational level were found to be associated with contraceptive discontinuation and a lot of women who utilised and discontinued their methods of contraception were self-decision makers and of which some opted for their method covertly. The major barrier amongst others that led to discontinuation was the women’s experience of contraceptive side effects which ranged from menstrual irregularities, heavy bleeding, and weight gain to headache. This is evident that there is need to develop effective strategies that would help promote the contraceptive prevalence rate as well as strategies that would encourage continuation and method switching.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLimitations of the study\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eMost women of reproductive age were unwilling to participate in the study as it involved giving out information about their sexual and reproductive life which is mostly kept as private to them.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe few breastfeeding mothers who were eligible were unresponsive and some gave incomplete data therefore their data were not accounted for.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eIt was difficult organizing women of reproductive age who met the inclusion criteria into groups for the qualitative aspect of this research as they gave their different timing that would be suitable for them.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;Recommendation\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo women of reproductive age:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eWomen should ensure they get their FP methods from a FP clinic, hospitals and health centers where proper information are being given concerning contraception and FP and not from chemist shops.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eWomen should ensure they involve their male partners in issues of sexual and reproductive health by discussing contraceptive use with them, encouraging and taking them along to obtain a method.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eWomen should ensure that they ask necessary questions concerning a particular method of preference where they don’t understand and should also ensure that they adhere strictly to information on the use of a method (especially for methods that are being handled by the individual such as pills, condoms, patches etc.)\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eWomen should ensure that they report any side effect experienced to their FP health provider for further instructions.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo government/ health management bodies:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eEfforts on male/female education and enlightenment through educational campaigns and advocacy should be improved and encouraged. This can be achieved using all Medias of communication.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eStrategies that engages the men should be adopted by program implementers since men are the major decision makers in Nigeria. In this regards, joint-decision making should be enhanced between couples/partners through campaign enlightenment on all forms of information route targeted at the men.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe government should put in more funds through the ministry of health to encourage health research specific to strategies that can help improve contraceptive use and continuance in local settings and at the state level.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe significance of side effect should be considered by evaluating the suitability of available methods through directives from the ministry of health to program planners and evaluators in order that efforts to better improve or develop new contraceptives adapted to local reproductive ecology may be considered, as there may exist incompatibility between physiologic hormonal level of individuals in a particular country and that of the contraceptives currently used which may have been obtained from a donor country.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeclaration of funding:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/strong\u003efor this research received no external funding\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClinical trial number:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eNot applicable\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData availability:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThe dataset used during the study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent to publish\u003c/strong\u003e:\u0026nbsp;All participants were provided with comprehensive details about the study, after ensuring that the participants fully understand these details, they were asked to sign an informed consent form to confirm their voluntary participation in the study. I consent to the publishing of this article.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthical Accordance:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eEthical approval and clearance was obtained from the Institutional Research Ethics Committee of the university of port Harcourt, Rivers State in line with the National Health Research Ethics committee and the Helsinki declaration\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent to participate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA written informed consent was obtained from each of the study participant for the quantitative study while a verbal informed consent was obtained for the qualitative study after explaining the aims and objectives of the study; the anticipated risk and potential benefits of the study to them before proceeding on the research\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA author A is the main author and did the bulk of the research, prepared manuscripts and discussed the results from the data, collected qualitative and quantitative data for the researchB author B designed questionaires and analyzed data\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003cp\u003e1. 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Prevalence and factors associated with modern contraceptive discontinuation among reproductive age group women, a community based cross-sectional study in Humera town, northern Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eBMC Womens Health\u003c/em\u003e. 2018;18(1):1\u0026ndash;8. doi:10.1186/s12905-018-0653-6.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e11. Mahande MJ, Sato R, Amour C, Manongi R, Farah A, Msuya SE, Shah I. Predictors of contraceptive discontinuation among postpartum women in Arusha region, Tanzania. \u003cem\u003eContracept Reprod Med\u003c/em\u003e. 2021;6(1):1\u0026ndash;9. doi:10.1186/s40834-021-00154-1.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e12. Alvergne A, Stevens R, Gurmu E. Side effects and the need for secrecy: characterising discontinuation of modern contraception and its causes in Ethiopia using mixed methods. \u003cem\u003eContracept Reprod Med\u003c/em\u003e. 2017;2(1):24.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e13. National Population Commission (Nigeria), ICF International. Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018: Final Report. Abuja (Nigeria), Rockville (MD, USA): NPC and ICF International; 2019.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e14. Apanga PA, Kumbeni MT, Ayamga EA, Ulanja MB, Akparibo R. Prevalence and factors associated with modern contraceptive use among women of reproductive age in 20 African countries: a large population-based study. \u003cem\u003eBMJ Open\u003c/em\u003e. 2020;10(9):1\u0026ndash;12. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-036532.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e15. Beson P, Appiah R, Adomah-Afari A. Modern contraceptive use among reproductive-aged women in Ghana: prevalence, predictors, and policy implications. \u003cem\u003eBMC Womens Health\u003c/em\u003e. 2018;18(1):1\u0026ndash;8. doi:10.1186/s12905-018-0649-2.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e16. Dambo ND, Jeremiah I, Wallymahmed A. Determinants of contraceptive use by women in the central senatorial zone of Bayelsa State, Nigeria: A cross-sectional survey.\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eNiger Med J\u003c/em\u003e. 2017;58(1):26\u0026ndash;30. doi:10.4103/0300-1652.218414.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e17. Islam AZ, Mondal MN, Khatun ML, Rahman MM, Islam MR, Mostofa MG, Hoque MN. Prevalence and determinants of contraceptive use among employed and unemployed women in Bangladesh. \u003cem\u003eInt J MCH AIDS\u003c/em\u003e. 2016;5(2):92\u0026ndash;102. doi:10.21106/ijma.94.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e18. Ogboghodo EO, Adam VY, Wagbatsoma VA. Prevalence and determinants of contraceptive use among women of child-bearing age in a rural community in southern Nigeria. \u003cem\u003eJ Community Med Prim Health Care\u003c/em\u003e. 2017;29(2):97\u0026ndash;107. doi:10.4314/jcmphc.v29i2.11.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e19. Kungu W, Agwanda A, Khasakhala A. Prevalence of and factors associated with contraceptive discontinuation in Kenya. \u003cem\u003eAfr J Prim Health Care Fam Med\u003c/em\u003e. 2022;14(1):11. doi:10.4102/phcfm.v14i1.3235.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e20. Mekonnen BD, Wubneh CA. Prevalence and associated factors of contraceptive discontinuation among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia: using 2016 Nationwide Survey Data. \u003cem\u003eReprod Health\u003c/em\u003e. 2020;17(1):1\u0026ndash;10. doi:10.1186/s12978-020-00939-6.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e21. Awoyesuku PA, Altraide BO, Amadi SC. Modern contraceptives discontinuation, method switching and associated factors among clients at the family planning clinic of a tertiary hospital in Port-Harcourt, Nigeria. \u003cem\u003eInt J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol\u003c/em\u003e. 2021;10(1):5\u0026ndash;11. doi:10.18203/2320-1770.IJRCOG20205746\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e22. Bawah AA, Sato R, Asuming P, Henry EG, Agula C, Agyei-Asabere C, Caning D, Shah I. Contraceptive method use, discontinuation and failure rates among women aged 15\u0026ndash;49 years: evidence from selected low income settings in Kumasi, Ghana. \u003cem\u003eContracept Reprod Med\u003c/em\u003e. 2021;6(1):1\u0026ndash;10. doi:10.1186/s40834-021-00155-0.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e23. Sseninde J. Factors associated with contraceptive discontinuation among women (15\u0026ndash;49 years) in Uganda [dissertation]. Kampala (Uganda): Makerere University; 2019.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e24. Mahumud RA, Hossain MG, Sarker AR, Islam MN, Hossain MR, Saw A, Khan JA. Prevalence and associated factors of contraceptive discontinuation and switching among Bangladeshi married women of reproductive age. \u003cem\u003eOpen Access J Contracept\u003c/em\u003e. 2015;6:13\u0026ndash;20. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S82063.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e25. Ontiri S, Mutea L, Naanyu V, Kabue M, Biesma R, Stekelenburg J. A qualitative exploration of contraceptive use and discontinuation among women with an unmet need for modern contraception in Kenya. \u003cem\u003eReprod Health\u003c/em\u003e. 2021;18(1):1\u0026ndash;10. doi:10.1186/s12978-021-01207-4.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e26. Puri MC, Joshi S, Khadka A, Pearson E, Dhungel Y, Shah IH. Exploring reasons for discontinuing use of immediate post-partum intrauterine device in Nepal: a qualitative study. \u003cem\u003eReprod Health\u003c/em\u003e. 2020;17(1):41. doi:10.1186/s12978-020-00923-1.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e27. Gadanya MA, Aliyu FE. Determinants of reversible contraceptive method discontinuation among women of reproductive age in Kano metropolis, Nigeria. \u003cem\u003eAnn Afr Med Res\u003c/em\u003e. 2021;4:1\u0026ndash;6. doi:10.53982/aamr.2021.0401.\u003c/p\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Contraceptive use, discontinuation, Family planning, women of reproductive age, prevalence, unmet need","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8797371/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8797371/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBackground\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eContraceptive use and discontinuation as well as unexpected pregnancy and other demographic consequences, is a significant predictor of contraceptive prevalence, as it elevates the unmet need for family planning (FP) which in turn has an implication for FP services. This study sought to determine the prevalence of contraceptive use and discontinuation, the reasons for discontinuation and the association between contraceptive discontinuation and selected socio-demographic variables.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMaterials and Methods\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA community-based cross-sectional study of household survey was conducted using a mixed method design. A multi-stage sampling technique was utilised to select 321 women of reproductive age who has ever used a method of contraception for the quantitative aspect and purposive sampling method was utilised to select 32 participants for the qualitative aspect. Primary data was extracted from respondents using semi-structured questionnaire and a Focus Group Discussion guide. Quantitative data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25 and Chi-square test of association; qualitative data was analysed using NVivo 12.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eResults\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe prevalence of contraceptive use during this study was 9.97%. The prevalence of contraceptive discontinuation was 34.95% at 12 months, 40.83% at 24 months and 24.22% beyond 24 months. Method-specific prevalence of contraceptive discontinuation at 12 months was ovulation and withdrawal methods (44.44% each), Rhythm (33.33%), injectable (37.50%), pill (35.62%), condom (33.33%), Implant (30.56%) and IUCD (23.08%). The reasons given by the respondents for discontinuation was side effect.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eConclusion\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe prevalence of contraceptive use was low and the prevalence of contraceptive discontinuation was high which indicates that contraceptive uptake and continuance is still an issue of concern. Age and marital status were found to be associated with contraceptive discontinuation and side effects was found to be the primary reason for contraceptive discontinuation.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Use and Discontinuation of Contraceptives Among Women of Reproductive Age in Port Harcourt","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-03-15 16:57:18","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8797371/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"33228bd8-71c7-447c-b13b-791734f00776","owner":[],"postedDate":"March 15th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-04-15T08:13:47+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-03-15 16:57:18","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8797371","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8797371","identity":"rs-8797371","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}