Why Childbearing-Age Women Switch Contraception Methods into Long-Acting Permanent Methods (LAPM) in West Nusa Tenggara?

...

Abstract

Background: The long-acting permanent method (LAPM) of contraception has been uncommonly by Indonesian women. However, few Indonesian women have switched their contraceptive methods into LAPMs, a cost effective method to limit the number of children with low odds of failure. The aim of this study was to explore the reasons of switching contraceptive methods into LAPMs by currently married Indonesian women aged 15-49 years old. A cross-sectional study was performed using a multistage cluster design. Results: Information was obtained from 6,341 women who were using or had recently been using contraception in the middle of Lombok, north of Lombok, and Bima (West Nusa Tenggara). It was found that a high proportion (9.6%) of women were switching contraception methods from injection or pills to implants or intrauterine devices (IUDs). The main reasons for switching were trying another method (42.6%) and the side effects of the currently used method (29,4%). Switching to LAPMs was significantly associated with age and knowledge about contraception (p < 0.01). Women who chose to use LAPMs were more likely to continue using them after one year of use. Women aged > 35 years were more likely to choose LAPMs because, at that age, there is a greater health risk for women if they become pregnant. Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that women aged >35 years need to be intensively encouraged to use LAPMs.