Contraceptive Use Among Northern Nigerian Women Ages 15 to 49 Years

AbstractContraception remains the most effective modern way of controlling unwanted pregnancies among sexually active women. The purpose of this study was to investigate contraceptive use among northern Nigerian women ages 15 to 49 years. The study was anchored on social ecological model, which examined contraceptive use at the individual, interpersonal and community levels. Univariate, bivariate, Chi-square test of independence and logistics regression were conducted using secondary data from the Nigerian Demographic Health Survey 2018. 39,928 women, ages 15 to 49 years in the northwest region of Nigeria were sampled and only 6% used contraceptives. Results showed that a significant association existed between literacy level, educational level, location, wealth index; and husband’s educational level and use of contraceptives (p \u3c .005), while marital status and religion were associated with a decrease in contraceptive use. Similarly, women’s education and literacy were significantly associated with use of contraceptives. Husband’s level of education was significantly associated with use of contraceptives. The study recommended that enlightenment programs should be put in place to encourage more women to embrace use of contraceptives, as well as encouraging women to have informed knowledge about the importance of contraceptives, so that they can develop more interest in the use to avert health risks associated with nonuse. Implication for positive social change includes organizing more awareness programs in Northern Nigeria, using local health workers, traditional and religious leaders to promote contraceptive use to prevent unwanted pregnancies and improve quality of life