Modern Contraceptive Utilization and Associated Factors Among Married Women in Liberia: Evidence from the 2019 Liberia Demographic and Health Survey.

BACKGROUND

Contraceptive methods help individuals control the number, interval, and timing of pregnancies and prevent unwanted pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of modern contraceptive utilization and associated factors among married reproductive-age women in Liberia.

METHODS

This study was based on a large community-based cross-sectional survey, conducted from October 16, 2019, to February 12, 2020, in Liberia. The survey employed a multistage cluster sampling technique to recruit study participants. Binary logistic regression was used to identify associated factors of contraceptive utilization. A p-value of <0.05 and a 95% confidence interval were used to declare statistical significance.

RESULTS

The overall modern contraceptive utilization among reproductive-age women in Liberia was 23.87% (95% CI: 27.3, 29.9). Women with the age group of 20 and 24 years [AOR = 2.08 (95% CI:1.37, 3.14)], 25-29 years [AOR = 1.73 (95% CI: 1.13, 2.65)], 45-49 years [AOR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.27, 0.76], being Muslim [AOR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.399, 0.67], residing in South Eastern Regions (B) [AOR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.79], south central [AOR=0.48 95% CI:0.37, 0.61] and North Central region [AOR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.37, 0.61], being employed [AOR = 1.26, 95% CI:1.06, 1.51], having 1-2 child/children [AOR = 2.81, 95% CI:1.80, 4.39] 3-4 children [AOR = 3.87, 95% CI:3.87, 6.24] and 5 and above [AOR = 7.06, 95% CI: 4.27, 11.69], completed primary [AOR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.22, 1.88] and higher education [AOR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.94], having educated husband [AOR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.63], being from richer households [AOR = 1.41, 95% CI:1.09, 1.82], and had declared infecund [AOR = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.046, 0.36] were independently associated with modern contraceptive utilization among married women in Liberia.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of modern contraceptive utilization among reproductive-age women in Liberia was low. Contraceptive utilization was affected by partners' education and participants' socio-demographic and obstetric attributes. Thus, public health interventions are urgently required to enhance use of contraceptives among this group of population.