Abstract:

This study examined the trend in contraceptive use among sexually active women of reproductive age in Nigeria. The study also investigated the socio-economic determinants of contraceptive use. Cross tabulations and regression analyses were performed on data from the Nigeria MICS, 2011/2012; 2016/2017 conducted by NBS in collaboration with UNICEF. The results indicate low contraceptive use among women with marked variation in contraceptive use across various socio-economic groups and administrative regions. Evidence from the regressions suggests that improving education and reducing poverty are critical in improving contraceptive use and reducing unmet need for family planning. Child survival, access to family planning services and knowledge of contraceptive methods were also found to be significant determinants of contraceptive use. A logistic regression analysis is also performed on the data to access the relationship between the dependent (women that use contraceptive) and independent variables I.e. age group, number of children, education, wealth index quartile and geo-political zone using the probit and logit regression estimation which indicate the same effects of the independent variables on contraceptive usage that; women older in age, having more children, educated, rich and are from the north central, south-south and south west of the country have more likelihood of using contraceptive while, women from north-east and north-west geopolitical zones are more likely not to use contraceptives. Hence, there is need to improve the knowledge of contraceptive use by creating awareness especially women from the north-east and north central and adequate training to community health workers should be done. The importance of improving financial and infrastructural access to contraceptives was confirmed by the findings of the study.