Modern contraception utilization and associated factors among all women aged 15–49 in Ethiopia: evidence from the 2019 Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey

BACKGROUND: The use of contraceptive is key in reducing unsafe abortion from unintended pregnancies, infant mortality, adolescent pregnancies, slowing population growth and helps to prevent HIV/AIDS. However, less than one-third of women within reproductive age in Ethiopia uses modern contraceptive methods. Hence, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of modern contraceptive utilization and to identify potential factors on use of modern contraceptive method. METHODS: Data from 2019 Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey were used in this analysis. A total of 8885 women within the ages of 15-49 years across 305 enumeration areas in nine regions and two city administrations were included in the analysis. Multivariable logistic regression model were applied to examine the association between women's background characteristics and modern contraceptives utilization. RESULTS: Only 28.1% of all women used modern contraceptives. About 40% of the modern contraceptive users were between age of 25-29 and 30-34 years. There was significant association between women's age, level of education, region, religion, parity, wealth quintile and marital status on use of modern contraceptives. Women who were married and living with partners were about 20 (AOR = 19.91, 95% CI: 14.27, 27.78) and 24 (AOR = 23.51, 95% CI: 14.66, 37.72) times more likely to use modern contraceptives compared to sexually active unmarried women. CONCLUSION: The study showed that the use of modern contraceptive method is not adequate and it is also influenced by socio-demographic and economic characteristics of women in Ethiopia. Therefore, increasing the awareness of women to use modern contraceptive methods is vital. We suggest that there is a need to improve the service in women age above 39 years, women in Afar, Somali, Harari and Diredawa regions; and protestant, Muslim and traditional religion followers.