Examining the Determinants of Contraceptive Use in Northern Nigeria

Background: The Northern part of Nigeria, has higher rates of child marriage, lower levels of contraceptive use, lower rates of antenatal care, fewer births delivered in a health facility, and higher total fertility rates and adolescent fertility rates than Southern regions. The purpose of this study is to identify predictors of current and intentions to use contraception, among young women of Northern Nigeria. Methods: The data analyzed in this study are from 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, part of the Demographic and Health Survey by USAID. Results: Participants (N = 10066) ranged in age from 15 to 24 (mean = 19, sd = 2.76) from the three northern regions of Nigeria, primarily lived in rural areas (68.7%, n = 7107). We found that, 83.3 percent of the sample had heard of modern contraceptive methods, though only 3.6 (n = 357.2) were currently using a modern contraceptive method, and 43.4 (n = 4286.4) intended to use them. Conclusion: The primary predictors of contraceptive use include literacy, wealth, educational levels, being the decision maker regarding contraceptives, age of first sex, wanting more children, and decisional autonomy in the home. Since the literacy is low, interventions should utilize pictures and radio programs, traditional and religious leaders, and incorporate men.