Abstract

Background. The world is in a dramatic expansion of population that resulted from the continued high birth rates in developing countries. At present, only a handful of countries have reduced fertility rates. That is enough to make gains as a result of reduced fertility or to ensure that their population will stabilize unforeseeable future. Ethiopia is the second largest country by population in Africa, but contraceptive use in Ethiopia is still low. Objective. The main objective of the study was to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice and associated factors towards implant use among married reproductive age group women. Method. An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was used to collect the data from 272 married reproductive age group women attending the family planning clinic at Ejere Health Center from October 9, 2021 to November 24, 2021. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select and approach the study subjects. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS window version 21, and bi variable, multivariable logistic regression was used to test the association between independent and dependent variables. A value of less than 0.05 and 95% CI was considered to be statistically significant. Finally, the result was presented using tables and graphs. Result. The finding shows that most of the respondents know implant (87.6%). Concerning the practice of implants, the overall prevalence of implants was 51 (20.6%), and in attitude towards implant utilization among study clients, most of them wrongly believed that using implant can result in irregular uterine bleeding and cause pain during insertion and removal. Mothers who attended primary school 2.580 times (, 95% CI: 1.255-5.305, value =0.01) had more positive attitudes than those who could not read and write. Mothers having positive attitude were 2.066 times (, 95% CI: 1.185-3.600, value =0.01) knowledgeable about implant than those with negative attitudes. Conclusion. Even if most of the respondents were knowledgeable, practice and attitude towards implant utilization were low. To overcome this gap, we recommended adequate early counseling, on possible side effects, and creating awareness on implant contraceptive services and refresher courses for health workers regarding implant contraception should be given regularly regarding reproductive issues.

1. Background

Hormonal contraceptive implants are a reversible long-acting progestin that resembles the natural hormonal progesterone in women’s bodies. These new contraceptive implants are small thin flexible plastic rods each about the size of matchsticks that release a progestin hormone, either levonorgestrel (Jadelle and sine-implant) or etonogestrel (Implanon) in the body. It is inserted under the skin of a woman’s upper arm by a trained health professional and can give continuous protection for three to five years depending on the number of rods inserted [1].

Norplant, the first hormonal implant developed for female contraception, has been found acceptable in most cultures. Having gained approval in 60 countries including the United States, Norplant is effective and safe but requires trained providers for both insertion and removal. The most common methods are Jadelle, Sino implant (II), and implant [2].

In Debre Tabor town, 12.8% of respondents used modern contraceptive methods. 44.68% of the survey participants had a good understanding of modern contraceptive methods, and 36.40% had a positive attitude towards them [3]. In the South Achefer District, Northwest Ethiopia, women had an overall knowledge, attitude, and practice of family planning (FP) of 42.3%, 58.8%, and 50.4% [4]. In Ethiopia, 9.4% of women of reproductive age used implant contraceptives [5]. The percentages of respondents with low, moderate, and high knowledge were 6.06%, 52.02%, and 42%, respectively, whereas 65.02% of women had attitudes. Only 18.2% of respondents used the long-acting family planning method in Mizan-Aman Town [6].

Factors linked with the practice of FP included residence, marital status, educational status, age, occupation, knowledge, attitude, number of children, and monthly average household income [4]. The key drivers for implant utilization were the desire to have 3-4 children, husband disapproval, shared decisions, and decisions by other persons [7]. Marital status, place of residence, number of living children, history of a terminated pregnancy, husband’s desire for more children, decision-making on contraceptive use, knowledge of contraceptives, discussed FP with the healthcare worker, and heard family planning messages on television were independent predictors of implant contraceptive use among reproductive age women in Ethiopia [5]. Higher education level, history of family planning utilization, and ANC follow-up indicated a positive relationship with the knowledge of postpartum family planning [8].

In the North-Shewa zone of the Amhara regional states, persons with high knowledge of family planning were 1.6 times more likely to use family planning methods than those with poor knowledge. Furthermore, people with a college degree were seven times more likely to have a good knowledge of family planning strategies than uneducated ones [9]. Mothers with high knowledge were eight times more likely to use long-acting and permanent contraception techniques than those with poor knowledge. Mothers who had two or more pregnancies were three times more likely to utilize long-acting and permanent contraception techniques than those who had a single pregnancy [10].

Although, over the last two decades, Ethiopia has made great progress in increasing awareness and knowledge of family planning, with more than 85% of currently married Ethiopian women now knowing at least one contraceptive method. The contraceptive prevalence rate among married women is only 29% and that of Oromia is 27% which is far below the national goal of the Ethiopia population policy to be attained by the year 2015 [11].

However, most previous studies in Ethiopia have shown that there is a wide gap between knowledge and use of modern contraception in Ethiopia meaning that knowledge about modern contraception is relatively high when compared with utilization rate [12]. Studies were conducted to evaluate the magnitude of implant utilization and to identify factors that contribute to the low utilization of implants in Ethiopia [13–16]. The evidence from the aforementioned investigations undertaken in Ethiopia was significantly variable, and the conclusions were inconsistent. More research is thus required to give up-to-date evidence for policymakers, programmers, and other stakeholders working on FP in Ejere Health Center to tackle challenges connected to implant contraception utilization based on evidence.

To improve implant use among married women effectively, factors affecting knowledge, attitude, and practice of implant use must be identified first through epidemiologic studies. Furthermore, knowledge, attitude, practice, and associated factors of implant use may vary with geographical area. However, the local knowledge, attitude, practice, and associated factors of implant use have not been researched thoroughly, and no study documented knowledge, attitude, practice, and associated factors of implant use among married women in Ejere Health Center.

Hence, the main objective of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude, practice, and associated factors of implant use among married women attending the family planning clinic of Ejere Health Center. This study is useful by identifying the level of knowledge, attitude, practice, and barriers to implant contraceptive utilization among married women attending the family planning clinic of Ejere Health Center. This study will also help the health planners and policymakers in the area to incorporate the identified problem in their yearly plan and to tailor implementation programs to women’s needs concerning implant method use. This study will be used as baseline data for further study to be conducted and to make possible recommendations.

2. Methodology

2.1. Study Area and Periods

2.1.1. Study Area

Ejere Town, capital city of Ejere Woreda, is located 42 km away from Addis Ababa and 70 km from Ambo University. The climate of Ejere Town is semicold. The total population of the town is 15443, of which 7543 were males and 7900 were females. There is 1 health center, 3 health posts, 4 private clinics, and 2 private drug stores. Ejere Health Center is a government health facility in Ejere Woreda that provides services in outpatient, under five, immunization, TB treatment, HIV treatment, and family planning. The number of family planning users in Ejere Health Center from July 2021 to August 2021 was 476.

2.1.2. Study

The study was conducted at Ejere Health Center family planning clinic from October 9, 2021 to November 24, 2021.

2.2. Study Design

An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was used to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice towards implant utilization and associated factors among married reproductive age group women attending the family planning clinic of Ejere Health Center, Ejere Woreda, West Shewa Zone of Oromia Region.

2.3. Population

The source of the population was all married reproductive age group women attending the family planning clinic of Ejere Health Center, Ejere Woreda, West Shewa Zone of Oromia Region. (i)Study population: All sampled married reproductive age group women attending the FP clinic of Ejere Health Center, Ejere Woreda, West Shewa Zone of Oromia Region(ii)Study unit: Every married reproductive age group woman attending the FP clinic of Ejere Health Center was considered a study unit

2.4. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

2.4.1. Inclusion Criteria

All married reproductive age group women attending the FP clinic of Ejere Health Center were included in the study.

2.4.2. Exclusion Criteria

Clients who are critically ill or have mental illness were excluded.

2.5. Sample Size Determination

The sample size was determined using the sample size determination formula for a single population proportion: where is the standard normal distribution at 95% confidence intervals (1.96).

is the prevalence (20.1%) taken from a previous study [17].

is the margin of error set at 0.05.

By adding 10% of the nonresponse rate, the total sample size is 272.

2.6. Sampling Techniques

The women were selected by systematic random sampling technique. where is the sampling interval, is the sample size, and is the number of FP users in Ejere Health Center for the last two months which was 476.

Then, the value was calculated as

The first mother was chosen randomly between 1 and 2, and then, every 2^nd woman was selected.

2.7. Study Variables

2.7.1. Dependent Variable

(i)Knowledge, attitude, and practice of implant utilization

2.7.2. Independent Variables

(i)Age(ii)Religion(iii)Occupation(iv)Education(v)Family income(vi)Husband education(vii)Gravidity(viii)Number of living children(ix)History of abortion(x)History of stillbirth

2.8. Pretest

Before the data collection period, pretesting of the questionnaire was conducted by taking 5% of the total sample size in another site of a similar population to the Ejere Woreda population. Then, necessary modification was made before being applied to the actual study participation.

2.9. Data Collection Method and Instruments

A survey was conducted by interviewing women attending the family planning clinic of Ejere Health Center using structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. The data was collected by 5 nurses after one day of training on the study instrument and data collection procedure that includes the relevance of the study, objective of the study, and confidentiality of the respondent’s information. An instrument for gathering data was created after researching relevant literature. The data collection tool was prepared first in English language. Then, the English version questionnaire was translated into the language (Afaan Oromo) which was understandable to the respondents during the interview, and data collection was run over accordingly. The data collection processes were supervised by nurses and the principal investigator.

2.10. Data Quality Control

To ensure the quality of data collection, a pretest was done; interviewers were trained before starting data collection properly. On each day, the filled format was checked for completeness of the data. The data collection was made by client consent and by their understandable language.

2.11. Data Analysis and Processing

After data collection, the data was checked and cleaned, for completeness before analysis, and then, the collected data was sorted using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage distribution tables). Bi variable, multivariable logistic regression model was used to test the association between independent and dependent variables and analyzed using SPSS version 21.

2.12. Ethical Considerations

The ethical ethics clearance was obtained from Ambo University, Institutional Research Ethics Review Committee 06/2021. During data collection, all respondents were asked for their permission, and verbal consent was obtained before the interview from family planning users. In addition, confidentiality of information was assured, and to ensure confidentiality, the name of respondents was not written in the consent form.

2.13. Operational Definition and Definition of Terms

(i)Contraceptive implants: These are hormone-releasing subdermal implants inserted under the skin of women’s upper arms(ii)Knowledgeable: The respondent who responded correctly to the knowledge questions is above the mean score(iii)Not knowledgeable: The respondents who responded correctly to the knowledge question were less than the mean score(iv)Positive attitude: In this study, attitude labels are positive if a woman scores above the mean for attitude questions in favor of the implant method(v)Negative attitude: If a women score less than mean to the attitude question in favor of the implant method(vi)Practiced implants: If the woman has used an implant as a contraceptive method during data collection(vii)Not practiced: If a woman has used other than an implant as a contraceptive method.(viii)Attitude: Way of feeling perceptive about something which influences behavior(ix)Practice: Previous and current utilization of any available implant contraceptive method

3. Results

3.1. Sociodemographic Characteristics

Out of the total 272 family planning users at Ejere Health Center during the study period, 267 (98.2%) respondents responded to the questions while 5 (1.8%) did not volunteer to respond.

The mean age of participants was years. Concerning ethnicity, the majority (227 (85.0%)) of them were Oromo, and regarding educational status, the majority (109 (40.8%)) of the clients could not read and write. 228 (85.4%) were Orthodox in religion. As to monthly income, the majority (175 (65.5%)) was obtaining less than 1000 birr per month (see Table 1).

3.2. Reproductive Health Characteristics

Among the respondents, 164 (61.4%) were married between the ages of 16 and 20, and the majority of them gave birth to their first child between the ages of 19 and 23. Regarding the choice to have a child, the majority of respondents, 148 (55.4%), gave birth in a hospital, even if home delivery was also an option. 232 (86.9%) of respondents made their decisions after talking to their husbands (see Table 2).

3.3. Knowledge of Contraceptive Methods of Women at Ejere Health Center

The majority of respondents heard modern contraceptives (98.5%), and 234 (87.9%) knew implant as a contraceptive method. The majority (95.1%) of the respondents said that they had gotten the information from health workers (see Table 3).

3.4. Attitudes of Women of Reproductive Age towards Implant

Respondents who scored greater or equal to the mean (6) had positive attitudes towards implants. Irregular uterine bleeding and arm loss were the complaints of respondents with negative attitudes, and they were 36.8% (see Table 4).

3.5. Practicing Implant Contraceptive

Among respondents, the majority (197 (73.4)) were using injectables, but 20.6% were using implant. Below half (43.1%) of participants said that they do not use them because of their side effects, and 32.2% do not use them due to fear of the procedure while 24.0% were volunteers, and among the users, 78.5% were interested in using the method (see Table 5).

3.6. Factors Associated with Practice of Implant in Ejere Health Center

In bi variable logistics regression analysis, married women having 1-2 pregnancies or gravidity use implant 3.62 times higher than married women having no pregnancy or gravidity (, 95% CI: 1.46-1.139, value =0.027) (see Table 6).

3.7. Factors Associated with KAP of Implant in Ejere Health Center

In multivariable logistics regression analysis, married women who attend second/prep school have 2.41 times more knowledge about implant than those married women who cannot read and write (, 95% CI: 1.07-5.44, value =0.03).

Married women who attend college or university were 9.5 times more knowledgeable about implant than those married women who cannot read and write (, 95% CI: 1.208-74.985, value =0.032).

Married women who have positive attitude were 2.06 times more knowledgeable about implant than those married women who have negative attitudes (, 95% CI: 1.185-3.600, value =0.01) (see Table 7).

3.8. Factors Associated with the Attitude of Married Women towards Implant in Ejere Health Center

Married women who attended primary school had 2.58 times more positive attitudes than those married women who could not read and write (, 95% CI: 1.25-5.30, value =0.01).

Married women who practiced or used implant before had 4.71 times more positive attitudes than those married women who did not practice or used implant before (, 95% CI: 2.20-10.05, value <0.01) (see Table 8).

4. Discussion

This study reveals that 98.5% of participants heard about modern contraceptives. 90.6% of the study participants knew about long-acting contraceptives, and 87.6% of them knew about implant. This is relatively higher compared with other studies conducted in Debre Tabor [3], Achefer District [4], and Mizan-Aman Town [6]. According to this study, the result showed that implant contraception utilization among study participants in the study area was 20.6%. This is higher compared to previous studies in Ethiopia [5]. The difference in findings may be the difference in sample size and study area. Implant contraception utilization in our study is comparable with the finding obtained from Nekemte Town which was 20.1% [17]. This might be due to the same access to information and sociodemographic characteristics in both study areas—Ejere Town and Nekemte Town.

The main reasons cited for nonuse were using other methods of contraceptive, fear of the procedure, fear of developing side effects, wanting the child within a short period, and irregular vaginal bleeding which is similar to findings of a community-based study done in Arba Minch Town [18] and the study performed in Tigray Region, Adigrat Town [19].

In multivariable logistics analysis, mothers’ educational status was significantly associated, and those who attended college or university were 9.519 times (, 95% CI: 1.208-74.985, value =0.032) knowledgeable about implant than those who could not read and write, and mothers having a positive attitude were 2.066 times (, 95% CI: 1.185-3.600, value =0.01) knowledgeable about implant than those with negative attitudes. Mothers who attended primary school had 2.580 times (, 95% CI: 1.255-5.305, value =0.01) more positive attitudes than those who could not read and write. This finding was similar to the study performed in the Achefer District [4], Oromia Region [8], Mekelle Town [10], Western Ethiopia [17], and North Shoa Zone Amhara Region [20].

Clients with a positive attitude towards implants and those who had good practice had the highest intention to use implant contraception which is supported by another study that showed that the positive attitude of women to contraceptives was an important factor for promoting the use of long-acting contraceptives [17]. The main source of information to use implants among family planning users in the study area was health workers which means most of the study participants had discussions with health workers. Compared with other studies, this result is consistent with findings from studies done in southeastern Ethiopia that show that the source of information for 72.2% was health professionals [21].

4.1. Strength

This study has emphasized a married woman who is exposed to unmet needs for family planning methods like implants due to lack of knowledge, attitude, and practice. This might likely serve as baseline data and cover some knowledge gaps for future studies.

4.2. Limitations of the Study

Because the data were acquired via an interview-administered questionnaire, women could not feel free, and the reported KAP could be inflated or understated. We did not use a qualitative way of data collecting to evaluate women’s perceptions of implant use, so future research should be undertaken using a mixed study to address barriers to using implant contraception. The other limitation of this study was that it was difficult to establish a temporal relationship or cause-effect association due to the nature of the study design that we used which is a cross-sectional study design.

5. Conclusion

Even if most of the respondents were knowledgeable, practice and attitude towards implant utilization was low. To overcome this gap, we recommended adequate early counseling, on possible side effects, and creating awareness on implant contraceptive services and refresher courses for health workers regarding implant contraception should be given regularly regarding reproductive issues.

Data Availability

Data will be available upon request from the corresponding author.

Ethical Approval

The ethical ethics clearance was obtained from Ambo University, Institutional Research Ethics Review Committee 06/2021.

Consent

During data collection, all respondents were asked for their permission, and verbal consent was obtained before the interview from family planning users. In addition, the confidentiality of information was assured, and, to ensure confidentiality, the name of respondents was not written in the consent form.

Conflicts of Interest

There are no conflicts of interest stated by the authors.

Authors’ Contributions

KTT, ETT, GF, YA, TKW, and MKT were responsible for conceptualization, methodology, analysis, supervision, and report writing. All authors have read and approved the manuscript.