A re-assessment of drivers of contraceptive acceptance, use and discontinuation among young females in Nigeria

Onipede Wusu, Lagos State University

Family planning interventions have focused on young people in Nigeria for over one decade, yet their uptake of modern contraceptives is still very low, with grave consequences. This study hypothesized that prevailing drivers of acceptance, use and discontinuation are accountable. It deployed the 2013 NDHS data to re-assess the drivers. The results show that geopolitical region, education, religion, wealth status, contraceptive knowledge, number of living children, age at first sex, and fertility preference were significant drivers of contraceptive acceptance among young females (P<0.05). Significant drivers of modern contraceptives include geopolitical region, religion, employment status, wealth status, number of living children and partner’s desired number of children (p<0.05). Geopolitical region, education, religion, age at first sex, number of living children, ideal number of boys and girls were significantly associated with discontinuation (P<0.05). It is imperative to take cognizance of the drivers in designing contraception promotion programmes among young females in Nigeria.