Postpartum family planning utilization in Burundi and Rwanda: a comparative analysis of population based cross-sectional data

Gideon Rutaremwa, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
Allen Kabagenyi, Makerere University

Background: For Africa to harness the demographic dividend, one of the key initiatives that have been identified as a major policy action is the promotion of modern family planning. Recent evidence shows that TFR rates was 6.4 in Burundi and was 4.6 children in Rwanda, respectively. Methods: Data from the Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 2010 in both Burundi and Rwanda were used. A total of 3396 and 4670 women from Burundi and Rwanda respectively were selected. Descriptive analyses and later a binary logistic regression model were applied to analyze the contribution of the various predictors of uptake of modern contraceptives during the postpartum period. Conclusions: Enhancing postpartum contraceptive use should target women with low education, low wealth status, and that the media has an important role to play in this transformation. Policies and programs must be put in place to ensure that the rural urban differences are eradicated.