Influence of Women Factors on Modern Contraceptive Usage among Currently Married Women in Malawi

Abstract

Family planning and family planning interventions are among the most cost-effective health interventions especially considering their close link with maternal and infant health and survival. This study employed logistic regression analysis to assess the influence of women factors on modern contraceptive use among currently married women in Malawi using 2010 Malawi demographic and health survey data. Findings of logistic regression analysis show that level of education of the woman, current age of the woman and the fertility preference of the woman are significantly related to modern contraceptive use when analysis is done on the association of contraceptive use with women factors. Controlling for couple factors, the analysis found level of education of the woman, current age of the woman, fertility preference of the woman, religious affiliation and type of place of residence to be significantly related to modern contraceptive use. Results in the full model which controlled for both couple and partner factors found current age of the woman, fertility preference of the woman, religious affiliation and current age of the partner to be significantly related to modern contraceptive use among Malawian women. The fact that the fertility preference of a woman remains statistically significant throughout the analysis is a pointer on how policy makers and program implementers need to come in to support Malawian women to ensure that their contraceptive needs are met. Availing a wide range of contraceptive choice for all women will help to address the unmet need for family planning services and hence contribute towards improving the health of both mothers and children, reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and reducing family sizes by limiting unintended and unwanted pregnancies.

Key words: women factors, modern contraceptive use, binary regression analysis, Malawi