Permanent Contraception: Women’s Desire for Their Spouse and Future Uptake

Abstract

Background and Aims Permanent contraception (PC) is a safe and cost‐effective irreversible method of preventing unwanted pregnancy and reducing maternal morbidity and mortality. Only 0.2% of women use PC in Nigeria. This study aimed at assessing women’s knowledge, their desire for spousal and future uptake of permanent contraception. Methods A cross‐sectional survey conducted among 256 antenatal attendees at University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, using semistructured self‐administered questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with women’s desire and spousal uptake of PC at 95% confidence interval (CI) with a p value of ≤ 0.05. Results All were aware of PC and majority (180 [70.3%]) had good knowledge of it. About a quarter (26.5%) of the women wish to use PC once they complete their family size with more than half (52.6%) of them willing to use it after four or more children. Only 28.9% will allow their spouse to have vasectomy. Commonest reasons for PC future uptake are completed family size (88.9%) and economic challenges (45.5%). Those with one living child were less likely to have a good knowledge of PC (AOR = 0.527 and 95% CI = 0.278–0.998) and those with fertility issues were twice more likely to have good knowledge (AOR = 2.373 and 95% CI = 1.030–5.466). Respondent’s perception of PC ( p < 0.001) and “ever had pregnancy complications” ( p = 0.014) are associated with their desire for spousal uptake. Conclusions There is a high level of awareness and good knowledge of PC; however, just a few will use it or allow their spouse to use it in future. There is a need to strengthen counselling and maternal education on PC with the aim to improve its uptake.