Abstract:

This is a cross-sectional descriptive study which sought to identify the factors that affects the use of contraception among postnatal mothers in Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospita(KATH), Kumasi, Ghana. Purposive and convenience sampling methods were used to select the directorates and health workers respectively. Self-structured and validated questionnaires were administered to 200 postnatal mothers at KATH. Data collected was processed and analysed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences and Microsoft Excel. Results obtained showed that mothers’ education and marital status are the main factors affecting the use of family planning. Education exposes the mothers to information on methods of birth control and increases understanding on various aspects of contraceptives such as mechanism of action, method specific instructions and side effects. The years spent in school also delay start of childbearing and enable the women to make informed decisions in matters affecting their reproductive health at a mature age. Marriage exposes mothers to sexual intercourse in the postpartum period and increases the risk of conception. Consequently, the married mothers have a higher intention to use postpartum family planning than their unmarried counterparts. This means that their needs for post-partum family planning (PPFP) should be addressed to ensure their intentions translate into actual use, which will reduce the unmet need for PPFP in KATH.

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