Knowledge of Postpartum Women about Modern Contraceptive Methods and Attitudes towards its Utilization in Debre Tabor Town, Northwest Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The postpartum period is a crucial time to prevent short inter-pregnancy interval and unwanted pregnancies. Although it is the most ideal period to create awareness on postpartum mothers’ about knowledge and attitudes contraceptive methods; it is often neglected part of the continuum of care. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing postpartum mother’s knowledge and attitudes of modern contraceptive methods towards its utilization.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 552 postpartum mothers at Debre Tabor town from September 20, 2018 to October 20, 2018. A cluster sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data were entered into Epi info version 7 and analyzed by SPSS version 20 software. Multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify associated factors.
Results: The overall prevalence of good knowledge and favorable attitude towards modern contraceptive methods was 57.6% (95% CI: 53.3%, 61.6%) and 40.6% (95% CI: 36.8, 44.6) respectively. Higher education [AOR: 2.15 (95% CI: 1.36, 3.4)], ever had a discussion with their husband about contraception [AOR: 2.15 (95% CI: 1.48, 3.14)] and ever used modern contraceptive methods [AOR: 1.87 (95% CI: 1.15, 3.03)] were found to be significantly associated with good knowledge of postpartum modern contraceptive methods. Besides, maternal age of 25-34-year-old (AOR= 0.42; 95% CI: 0.27, 0.65), having prior information about contraceptive methods (AOR= 1.73; 95% CI: 1.19, 2.53) and good knowledge of postpartum modern contraceptive methods were associated with the attitude of mothers towards modern contraceptive methods.
Conclusion: The study shown that significant number of postpartum mothers had poor knowledge and unfavorable attitude towards modern contraceptive methods. Integrated work is necessary to enhance women’s access to education, to bring a change on a negative attitude of mothers of all age groups, to get access of information all through the maternal continuum of care, and encourage couples to have a free discussion regarding contraceptive methods.