Psychosocial Determinants of Family Planning in Tigrai National Regional State, Ethiopia

The purpose of the study is to find out the psychosocial determinants or predictors that may affect family planning decision and use in Tigrai National Regional State. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire from women married at the time of survey. Interview was carried out for a total of 600 women age 15- 49. An analytical study was done to find the association between unmet needs and the explanatory variables using binary logit model. Result of this study indicated that, clients chose family planning methods basing on few options given as most of health centers? family planning providers sampled were biased towards the three most commonly used methods, depoprovera, pills and condoms respectively. Low utilization of modern contraception despite a near universal awareness through various forums confirms that the women need more knowledge on FP methods that will focus on available options and their effects on health. Women who discussed choice and use of contraceptive method were more likely to use compared to those who did not. Based on the results, it can be recommend that reproductive health programs need to intensify efforts in improving women's knowledge of modern FP methods. They should also encourage constructive partner communication and engagement in order to increase modern FP uptake. There is also need to re-evaluate the current integrated maternal child health and family planning services to directly, actively and effectively accommodate male partners. Further research into the male partner views on family planning, psychosocial andcultural determinants of non-use, and barriers to the use of modern contraceptive methods among both men and women are proposed. The family planning program at national level in conjunction with the District/woreda Health Offices should intensify supervision of family planning activities to ensure that providers are performing according to the set standards of family planning. Health centers should be provided with the National Reproductive Health (NRH) service delivery guidelines and policy to be used as a basis of their family planning service provision. In charge of health center should ensure that Ethiopian NRH and policy handbooks are always available in the FP clinic for easy access.