Initiation of postpartum modern contraceptive methods: Evidence from Tanzania demographic and health survey.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum contraceptive use is vital to improve maternal and child survival. It helps to have optimal child spacing, prevent unplanned pregnancies and associated adverse birth outcomes. However, postpartum contraceptive use in Tanzania remains low. Short median interval for resumption to sex after birth among African women has been associated with adverse maternal and child health wellbeing. This study aimed to assess optimal time to contraceptive use and predictors of time to contraceptive use after birth among women of reproductive age in Tanzania. METHODS: A cross section study using the TDHS 2015-16 data was used. A total of 3775 postpartum women were analyzed. Information on pregnancy, births and contraceptive use were recorded over the previous 5 years with the focus on most recent birth from the contraceptive calendar. Data analysis was performed using Stata 14.0. Analysis accounted for complex survey design. Time to modern contraceptive use after birth was computed using Kaplan Meier estimate. Adjusted time ratios with 95% CI were estimated using Weibull accelerated failure time models. RESULTS: A total weighted sample of 3775 women was analyzed. The median time to contraceptive use after birth was 7(IQR: 4-13) months, while for resumption to sex afterbirth was 2(IQR: 1-5) months. Factors such as never been married (TR: 1.63; 95%CI: 1.26-2.11) and breastfeeding (TR: 5.50; 95%CI: 4.12-7.35) were associated with longer time to postpartum contraceptive use. Belonging to richest wealth quintile (TR: 0.73; 95%CI: 0.54-0.99) and adopting long acting methods (TR: 0.70; 95%CI: 0.60-0.82) increased women's likelihood of having shorter time to postpartum contraceptive use. CONCLUSION: There was a time lag of five months from resumption of sex and initiation of postpartum contraception use. The interceptive measures to facilitate timely availing methods of women's choice and promotion of utilization of maternal health care services may reduce delays in postpartum contraceptive use.

Trends and predictors of changes in modern contraceptive use among women aged 15-49 years in Tanzania from 2004-2016: Evidence from Tanzania Demographic and Health Surveys.

INTRODUCTION: Modern contraceptive use provides opportunities for women and couples to achieve optimal child spacing, achieve desired family size and reduce unsafe abortions. Despite these facts, modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) in Tanzania remains as low as 32%. This study aimed to determine trends and factors associated with changes in modern contraceptive use among women of reproductive age in Tanzania from 2004-2016. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional study utilizing data from Tanzania Demographic and Health Surveys of 2004-2005, 2010 and 2015-2016. Data analysis was performed using Stata version 14. Analysis considered the complex survey design through application of weights, clustering and strata. Multivariable Poisson decomposition analysis was used to assess factors associated with changes in modern contraceptive use. Results were presented in the form of decomposition coefficients and percentages. RESULTS: Modern contraceptive use increased from 23.0% in 2004 to 34.3% in 2016. Differences in women's characteristics contributed 12.5% of the increase in mCPR. These characteristics include partner's education levels, recent sexual activity and being visited by a family planning worker. The difference in coefficients contributed 87.5% increase in mCPR. The most increase in modern contraceptive use was attributed to rural population (44.1%) and women who experienced a termination of pregnancy (7.1%). CONCLUSION: Modern contraceptive use has steadily increased in Tanzania. Health policies and interventions need to target sexually active women, rural residents as well as less educated women and men to maintain and further accelerate the trends in mCPR. Interventions focusing on women who experienced a termination of pregnancy may also serve as an entry point to promote use of modern contraceptive methods.