Prevalence, Perceptions and Factors Contributing to Long Acting Reversible Contraception Use among Family Planning Clients, Jimma Town, Oromiya Region, South-West Ethiopia

Introduction: Despite the contributions of Long Acting Reversible Contraceptions (LARC) in improving maternal and child health, they are underutilized, while studies on this particular topic are also limited in Ethiopia, specifically in Jimma. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence, clients and providers’ perceptions, reasons and factors contributing to long acting and reversible contraceptive use, among family planning clients of Jimma Town health institutions. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative and qualitative survey was conducted using a systematic and purposive sampling method respectively. Pre-tested survey questionnaires were used for the quantitative data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were analysed using SPSS version 20:0 and P-value less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. In-depth interview and FGD findings were thematically analysed. Result: Of the total 422 participants: 22.9% (95% CI: 18.9, 26.9%) were currently using LARC of which, 78 (82.98%) and 16 (17.02%) were using implants and IUCD respectively; similarly, 112 (22.2%) ever used LARC. Major reasons given for not using or intending to use LARC were: husbands’ disapproval, fear of side effects and fear of procedure. Based on the qualitative study findings, clients perceived, side effects, rumours, partner influence, and lack of women’s decision making power were the major reasons hindering the use of LARC. Similarly family planning providers reported: providers’ lack of counselling skills, work load, clients’ misunderstanding about LARC and husbands influence as major reasons hindering its use. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified: age, previous use of LARC and educational status of women as the main predictors having statistically significant association with the current use of LARC, (P<0.05). Conclusion: Despite its effectiveness, safety and compared to other studies such as Ugandan, the current prevalence of LARCs was low. Therefore concerned authorities should consider training of midwives on counselling skill, male involvement in addition to empowering women on contraception negotiation skill and decision making are recommended.