Modern contraceptives use and associated factors among adolescents and youth in Ethiopia

Abstract Background: Ethiopia‟s commitment to the global family planning 2020 partnership includes improving the health of adolescents and youth by increasing the modern contraceptive prevalence rate and reducing the unmet need for modern contraceptives among female 15-24 years. This study aims to assess trends and factors that determine uptake of modern contraceptives among adolescents and youth aged 15-24 years in Ethiopia. Method: The analysis was conducted for 2,420 female adolescents and youth. The data were from the project annual population-based survey conducted in three rounds (2017-2019). The data was recorded in Pathfinder International‟s program monitoring database. Statistical stability of survey estimates across three years was ascertained using variance estimate and coefficient of variation, and plausible interpretation of the observed trends was made referring to other national surveys and program documents of the organization. All analyses were done using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics (graph and Table) were used to determine trends and current contraceptive use, and logistic regression models were used to determinants the associated factors of contraceptive use. Results: Over the studied three-year period, modern contraceptive uptake improved by 11 percentage points. The short-acting contraceptives method accounted for a significant share of this increase (p-value< 0.05). Factors contributing to the widespread use of modern contraceptives were participants‟ educational status, discussion with HEWs/HDAs, and getting compassionate, respectful, friendly, and culturally acceptable care during pregnancy, labour and delivery, and postnatal period. Conclusions: Modern contraceptive use among female adolescents and youth aged 15-24 years showed a remarkable increase between 2017 and 2019. This analysis provided practical evidence that aligning a program‟s monitoring system with national priorities can provide information to foster timely decision-making and generate scalable lessons. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2021;35(SI-5):19-26]Keywords: modern contraceptive, use of contraceptives, method mix, women, reproductive age, Ethiopi