Background: - Ethiopia is one of the most populated countries in Africa with a high fertility rate. High population growth and unintended pregnancies are posing pressures where the economy is incapable of holding overpopulation. Despite this problem, utilization of modern contraception is low in rural areas of the country where most of the population resides, especially in the areas where polygamy is common. Understanding modern contraceptive use and the unmet need for family planning is important to changes in fertility and improving reproductive health worldwide. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess contraceptive utilization and associated factors among polygamous and monogamous women in worebabo woreda, South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia.
Method: - A community-based comparative cross-sectional study design was conducted on the total sample size of 774 selected married women of the reproductive age group by using a multistage sampling method. A pre-tested interview with a structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Determinant factors were analyzed by using bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression models. The odds ratio, with a 95% confidence level, was used to declare a statistically significant association. A phenomenological study design and a purposive sampling method were used for the qualitative part of the study.
Result: - A total of 703 married women of the reproductive age group were interviewed, among these married women, 352 and 351 were in monogamous and polygamous relationships. The proportion of women who use modern contraceptives was 161 (45.7%) in monogamous relationship, and 151 (43.0%) in polygamous relationships. Overall, utilization of modern contraceptives was significantly associated with the educational status of the respondent, respondent type of religion, desire time for other children, who decides on the number of children, getting clear information by Health care provider, family pressure to use of modern contraceptive, fear of social stigma, and accept myths about contraceptives.
Conclusion: - This study identified that utilization of modern contraception is low in the study area. Healthcare programmers at federal, regional, zonal, and woreda levels by collaborating with other partners should initiate new initiatives or interventions that target cultural and social relationships to encourage the utilization of modern contraceptive methods.