PRACTICE AND INTENTION TO USE LONG ACTING AND PERMANENT CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS AMONG MARRIED WOMEN IN ETHIOPIA: SYSTEMIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Background: The use of long-acting and permanent contraceptive methods (LAPMs) has not kept step with that of short-acting methods such as oral pills and injectables in Africa. Ethiopia is the second most populous country in sub-Saharan Africa with a high total fertility rate and high maternal and child mortality rates. Therefore, this study summarized the evidence of practice and intention to use long-acting and permanent family planning methods among women in Ethiopia using systemic review and meta-analysis. Methods and findings: Systematic review of the published literature of observational studies was conducted. Original studies were identified using databases of Medline/Pubmed and Google Scholar. Heterogeneity across studies was checked using the Cochrane Q test statistic and I2. Pool risk estimates of intention to use and practice of long-acting and permanent family planning methods were computed using a random effect model. Based on the nine observational studies included in the meta-analysis, the pooled prevalence of intention to use long-acting and permanent family planning methods among married women according to random effect DL model was 42.66% (95% CI 31.55 to 53.78%). On the other hand, the pooled practice of long-acting and permanent methods (LAPMs) among the study participants was 13.5% (95% CI 8.2% to 18.7%). Conclusion: This meta-analysis revealed that women intention to use LAPMCs is generally good, but their utilization is low. So it is recommended that LAPMCs have to be available and accessible to for the women who need it at lower health service delivery level.