Socio-Demographic Determinants of Contraceptive Use and Discontinuation Due to Side Effects among Pregnant Mothers in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Understanding the contraceptive history of pregnant women is crucial for addressing unmet family planning needs and improving maternal health.
Objectives: This study describes the prevalence, types, and socio-demographic factors associated with contraceptive use and discontinuation among pregnant mothers in Ondo State, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 pregnant women attending antenatal care. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, obstetric history, and contraceptive use were collected via interviewer-administered questionnaires. Analysis involved descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression.
Results: The mean age of participants was 30.2 ± 6.1 years. Most were married (95.8%), Christian (80.5%), and had secondary or tertiary education (84.3%). Contraceptive prevalence before the current pregnancy was 67.3%. The most commonly used methods were oral contraceptive pills (24.0%), condoms (15.0%), and natural methods (10.8%). Side effects were experienced by 28.0% of users, with weight gain (15.3%) being the most common; 22.0% discontinued use as a result. Age was a significant predictor of use, χ2=32.85, p<0.001, and experiencing side effects. Women aged 35-44 had 3.49 times higher odds of reporting side effects compared to the 18-24 age group (95% CI: 1.23-9.91, p=0.018). Higher education and previous contraceptive use were protective against side effects.
Conclusion: Despite good knowledge and relatively high contraceptive prevalence, side effects remain a major cause of discontinuation. Targeted counseling and management of side effects, especially for older and less-educated women, are essential to improving contraceptive continuation.