Assessment of husband-wife communication and practice of contraceptives in Angecha woreda, Kembata Tembaro zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Family planning communication between husbands and wives is a prerequisite for better and responsible reproductive health behavior. Most studies suggest that couples can make better reproductive decisions if they discuss family planning matters more openly and frequently. This present study was therefore conducted to find out the level of husband-wife communication and the practice of contraceptive. Objectives of the study: The main objective of this study was to assess husband-wife communications, practice of contraceptives and factors associated in Angecha woreda, Kembata Tembaro zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia, March 2011. Methods and Materials: Community-based cross-sectional study, with both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods was conducted from March1-7, 2003 E.C. Random samples of 590 couples were selected for the house-to-house survey. Moreover, a purposively selected sample of 8 health care providers (HEWs), 4 religious leaders and 1 community leader were identified for an in-depth interview. And an interview guide was used for the qualitative study. Data was coded, entered into a data base, cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Simple and multiple binary logistic regression techniques with confidence interval at 95% confidence level was used in identifying determinant or predictive variables of outcome variable. Moreover, qualitative data was analyzed thematically. Results of the study: From a total sample of 588 couples, 362 (61.6%) wives were not using any contraceptive methods till the day of the study. On the other hand, samples of 442 (75.2%) husbands were not using any methods of contraceptives till the day of the study. A total sample of 306 (52.0%) couples discussed about practice of contraceptives in the last year. Husband-wife communication about practice of contraceptives was independent predictor of practice of contraceptives. The study reaveled that wives who do not discuss with their husbands about the practice of contraceptives were less likely to practice contraceptives (AOR = .068, 95.0% CI, 0.0300 – 0.100). On the other hand, husbands who do not discuss with with their wives about practice of contraceptives were less likely to practice contraceptives (AOR = .027, 95.0% CI, .0100 - .04500) than their counterparts. Conclusions and recommendations: From this study, it was found that the attitude of couples was between 50-74 which was categorized as neutral attitude towards contraceptives. Practice of contraceptives was relatively low. Therefore, any relevant body should give priority to promote positive attitude and practice of couples towards different methods of family planning observed in this particular study area. In this study, some of the variables such as occupation, residence, need for more children, age and knowledge of couples to different contraceptive methods were independent predictors of husband-wife communication about practice of contraceptives. On the other hand, husband-wife communication was an independent predictor of practice of contraceptives by couples.