Trends, Patterns and Determinants of Long-Acting Reversible Methods of Contraception Among Women in Sub-Saharan Africa

Sunday Adedini , Obafemi Awolowo University
Olusola Omisakin, Obafemi Awolowo University
Oluwaseyi Somefun, University of the Witwatersrand

Huge variations exist in the use of different types of contraception, with short-term methods being the most common methods in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Evidence is scanty regarding the trends, patterns and determinants of long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods in SSA. This study provides empirical evidence on this. Using a pseudo longitudinal research design, we analysed Demographic and Health Survey data of eight countries selected on the basis of contraceptive prevalence rates across SSA. Multinomial logistic regression modelling was used to tease out the predictors of the uptake of LARC methods in the selected countries. Findings exhibit a steady but sluggish upward trend in LARC methods across countries. Significant predictors of LARC methods uptake included age, level of education, work status, wealth index, exposure to mass media, and fertility-related characteristics. This study underscores the need to address the various barriers to the uptake of LARC methods in SSA.

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 Presented in Session 229. Contraceptive Behavior in Developing Countries