Intention to use future contraception after abortion and associated factors among women visiting health facilities in Debre Markos town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2024.

BACKGROUND

Intention to use future contraception after abortion refers to a woman's expressed plan to use a contraceptive method after abortion. Inadequate family planning counselling and limited access to contraceptive services among post-abortion women may increase the risk of repeated unintended pregnancies and induced abortions. Although the Ethiopian Ministry of Health has integrated safe abortion care with post-abortion family planning services, abortion rates remain high and contraceptive utilization remains low in many areas, including the study setting. Limited evidence exists regarding women's intention to use future contraception after abortion in Debre Markos town. This study assessed the intention to use future contraception after abortion and its associated factors among women receiving abortion services in health facilities of Debre Markos town, Northwest Ethiopia.

METHODS

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 326 women selected by consecutive sampling. Data were collected using a structured, pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire, entered into EpiData 4.6, and analysed using Stata 17. Binary logistic regression was performed. Variables with p ≤ 0.25 in bivariable analysis were included in the multivariable model. Model fitness was assessed using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test (p = 0.53), and multicollinearity was evaluated using the variance inflation factor (VIF < 2).

RESULTS

The proportion intending to use future contraception after abortion was 70.2% (95% CI: 65.0%-75.2%). Higher educational status (AOR = 4.42; 95% CI: 1.34-14.48), unintended pregnancy (AOR = 5.00; 95% CI: 1.29-19.36), desire to avoid pregnancy for at least six months (AOR = 8.14; 95% CI: 3.10-21.38), favourable attitude (AOR = 6.25; 95% CI: 2.31-16.89), and good knowledge (AOR = 7.99; 95% CI: 3.00-21.30) were positively associated with intention. Spontaneous abortion (AOR = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.02-0.52) and not receiving the preferred contraceptive method (AOR = 0.13; 95% CI: 0.05-0.34) were negatively associated.

CONCLUSION

Seven in ten women intended to use future contraception after abortion. Educational status, unintended pregnancy, desire to delay pregnancy, favourable attitude, and good knowledge increased intention, whereas spontaneous abortion and not receiving the preferred contraceptive method reduced intention.