Interaction Effect of Knowledge and Use of Contraceptive Methods on Fertility among Umuahia Women of South-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Contraceptive use is a second key proximate determinant of adolescent fertility. The research is of immense importance to investigate the influence of knowledge and use of contraceptive methods on fertility among women in Abia State of southeast Nigeria. Using multi-stage sampling techniques, the study elicited information from 484 women of the reproductive age of 15-49 years. Data were gathered by the triangulation of quantitative and qualitative methods. Over two-third of the women approved the use of contraceptive methods to stop childbearing and prevent pregnancy. Contraceptive usage had strong relationship with number of children and preferred number of children. It is evident that the reason Nigeria’s fertility has remained high and contraceptive use so low is complex and diverse. The need for contraceptive methods and ways of using them as well as their effects should be made known to the women through the available sources of information for sustainable development.

Keywords: Contraceptive methods, Fertility, Knowledge, and Socioeconomic factors