Intention to use long-acting and permanent contraceptive methods and its predictors among family planning users in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: In Ethiopia, most family planning users rely on short-acting contraceptives, despite the greater effectiveness of long-acting and permanent methods (LAPCMs). Previous studies on users’ intention to adopt LAPCMs have reported inconsistent findings. This study aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of intention to use LAPCMs and identify associated factors among Ethiopian family planning users. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel and analyzed with STATA version 11. A random-effects model was applied to estimate pooled prevalence, while heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochrane Q test and I 2 statistic. Results: Six studies involving 2773 participants were included. The pooled prevalence of intention to use LAPCMs was 50.98% (95% CI: 43.57–58.40). Significant factors associated with intention included good knowledge (POR = 4.81, 95% CI: 2.01–11.52), positive attitude (POR = 3.15, 95% CI: 2.21–4.50), higher educational attainment (POR = 6.23, 95% CI: 2.71–14.35), and the absence of myths and misconceptions (POR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.10–4.38). Conclusion: Intention to use LAPCMs among Ethiopian family planning users is moderate, indicating suboptimal uptake. Knowledge, education, attitudes, and misconceptions strongly influence this intention. Interventions that improve awareness, dispel misconceptions, and foster supportive attitudes are critical for enhancing adoption. Policymakers and health organizations should prioritize targeted education and behavior change strategies to strengthen family planning outcomes.