CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG ANTENATAL CARE PATIENTS IN FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE(FMC) UMUAHIA,

Abstract Background Maternal mortality causes 59,000 female deaths in Nigeria each year. Comparing Nigerian women to women in the most developed countries worldwide, it is conceivable that their risk of dying during childbirth is 500 times higher. Moreover, 545 maternal deaths are said to occur in Nigeria for every 100,000 live births. Furthermore, Nigeria’s maternal mortality is reported to be 545 per 100,000 births. Avoiding all unintended pregnancies will inevitably lower the associated mortality. This study is aimed at assessing the knowledge and barriers to contraceptive use among antenatal care antendees in FMC Umuahia. Methods A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 350 women from ages 19 - 49 receiving antenatal care at Federal Medical Center, Umuahia. Cochran's formula was used to determine the sample size. A structured interviewer questionnaire was constructed to obtain information. Data was analysed using Epi Info 7.2.6.0. Results The mean age of the respondents was 29.3±45 years. Majority of respondents,(259)80.94% had attained tertiary education. Majority (342) 97% were aware of contraception and the intra-uterine device(220)78.01% and the Traditional method,(222) 65.49% were the most known methods in contrast to diaphragm method (20),5.88% which had the least use. Source of information were mostly electronic media(281),82.65% and friends(281),82.40% in constrast to their colleges(81),23.68% which had the least. Conclusion Awareness and utilization of contraception was high among the respondents in this study.However there may also be the need to improve the public enlightenment in public institutions. Health workers have a major role through counseling of patients and clients on most appropriate contraceptive. Keyword: Contraceptives, antenatal care, pregnant women,Umuahia.