Contraceptive use among female traders in Ibadan, Nigeria

Context: Female traders are a part of the informal sector which is characterized by flexible timing, easy entry and exit, proximity to residence and compatibility between work and family responsibilities especially child care. More than half of Nigerian women are traders and are reported to have the highest fertility rates. The ability to regulate and control fertility has tremendous impact on women's health by reducing rates of unintended pregnancies and the need for unsafe abortion.Objectives: The study was designed to assess use of contraceptives and associated factors among female traders in a well-defined market.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out among a total sample of 225 female traders aged 15-49years in Sango market, Ibadan, south west Nigeria. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect information on their socio-demographic characteristics and contraceptive use.Main Outcome Measures: Prevalence of ever and current contraceptive use, types and factors associated with contraceptive use was determined.Results: Their mean age was 32.3± 8.2 years, 172 (76.4%) were married and 102 (45.3%) had secondary education. Ever and current use of contraceptive was reported by 34.7% and 25.3% of respondents respectively. The Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD) was the most used method (30.0%). Current contraceptive use was highest among respondents aged 30-39 years (p=0.009).Conclusions: Level of contraceptive use among female traders in Nigeria is quite low. Efforts should be made to increase use through market based family planning programmes.Key words: Contraceptive use, reproductive age, female traders, well-defined market