Women’s Experiences on Injectable Contraceptive Preference Among Jimma Town Public Health Facilities, Southwest Ethiopia 2023. A Phenomenological Study Design

Abstract

Background

Contraception is the information, devices, and medications that enable individuals to decide whether and when to have children. It is a cost-effective method of limiting and spacing childbirth. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of modern contraceptives is increasing, and injection contraceptives represent a high prevalence. However, it is unclear why the women preferred injection contraception.

Objective

To explore Women’s experiences on contraceptive preference among Jimma town public health facilities, southwest Ethiopia, 2023.

Methods

An interpretative phenomenological study design was employed. Women aged between 18 and 49 who have been using injectable contraceptives for more than one year were our study population. Data were collected through in-depth interviews using an open-ended, structured interview guide. The purposive sampling technique was used to select 12 participants from three randomly selected public health facilities in Jimma town. Audio data were transcribed verbatim into word files, and finally, Atlas.ti 7.0 software was used to facilitate coding and categorizing.

Results

Twelve women who have been using injectable contraceptives for the last year were involved in this study. Religious beliefs, fear of side effects, visiting Arab countries, and previous contraceptive experiences were the main reasons for respondents to prefer injectable contraceptive methods. This study revealed that women were experiencing positive and negative effects while using injection contraceptives. The majority of the respondents felt comfortable and pleased and had not encountered any health-related issues since beginning to use injection contraceptives.

Conclusion

The key factors influencing respondents’ preference for injection methods of contraception included fear of side effects, religious convictions, travel to Arab nations, and prior contraceptive experiences. The majority of respondents felt at ease and pleased and reported no substantial health difficulties associated with injection contraception, despite a few women reporting minor adverse effects. Therefore, switching to long-acting methods of contraception necessitates increased women’s understanding of contraceptives.

Keywords:

• contraception
• women experiences
• contraceptive preference
• Ethiopia

Ethics Approval and Informed Consent

Ethical clearance or supportive letter was obtained from the Jimma University after review a proposal. It adhered to the basics of the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent was obtained from each study subject. To maintain the confidentiality and anonymity of the participants’ code, labels of participants were used. The study participants also agreed to publish their anonymized responses in scientific journals. Participants aged under 18 years were not included in this study.

Acknowledgments

We would like to express our great appreciation to Jimma University, department of health, Behavior and Society for giving this project. Secondly, our appreciation extends to the individuals and scholars for their backing us during this research and last but not least we thank the study participants for their cooperation in giving necessary information.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors of the study confirmed that there is no conflict of interest in this paper.

Additional information

Funding

No funding received.