Exploring the drivers of unmet need for contraception among adolescents and young women in Sierra Leone. a cross-sectional study

Augustus Osborne; Peter Bai James; Camilla Bangura; Jia Bainga Kangbai

doi:10.1186/s40834-024-00286-8

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Exploring the drivers of unmet need for contraception among adolescents and young women in Sierra Leone. a cross-sectional study

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Exploring the drivers of unmet need for contraception among adolescents and young women in Sierra Leone. a cross-sectional study

Augustus Osborne, Peter Bai James, Camilla Bangura and Jia Bainga Kangbai

Contraception and reproductive medicine, Vol.9, 25

17/05/2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40834-024-00286-8

PMID: 38755669

Appears in Recent National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine Publications

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Abstract

Need

Unmet

Contraception

Young women

Adolescent

Sierra leone

Adolescent health

Public health

Adolescent health

Background Sierra Leone grapples with a concerning reality: a high unmet need for contraception among adolescents and young women (AYW). This translates to a multitude of unintended pregnancies, jeopardising their health, education, and overall life trajectory. To effectively address this challenge, we aim to examine the factors associated with the unmet need for contraception among AYW in Sierra Leone. Methods The study analysed the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey data. A total of 1,796 married and cohabiting AYW aged 15 to 24 years, representing the nationally representative sample, comprised the study. A multivariable binary regression analysis was used to explore the drivers of unmet needs for contraception. The regression results were presented using an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results The study found that 29% of Sierra Leonean AYW had an unmet need for contraception. AYW with three or more births(AOR = 6.80, 95% CI = 3.97, 11.65), two births (AOR = 4.11, 95% CI = 2.50, 6.76), one birth (AOR = 4.40, 95% CI = 2.81, 6.88), heard family planning on TV last few months (AOR = 1.94, 95% CI = 0.98, 3.83), and are cohabiting (AOR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.29, 2.75) had higher odds of unmet need for contraception. AYW who read the newspaper or magazine at least once a week (AOR = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.01, 1.10) had lower odds of unmet need for contraception. Conclusions The study found a high unmet need among AYW in Sierra Leone, which indicates a significant gap between desired and actual contraceptive use, leading to unintended pregnancies and potentially adverse health and socio-economic consequences. Parity, media exposure and cohabitation were associated with a higher unmet need for contraception and newspaper/magazine readership was associated with a lower unmet need for contraception. The study highlights the need to increase access to affordable and diverse contraceptive options, especially in rural areas. Expand educational campaigns beyond TV to include print media and community-based interventions. Provide AYWs with knowledge and authority to make well-informed decisions around their sexual and reproductive well-being.

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Title: Exploring the drivers of unmet need for contraception among adolescents and young women in Sierra Leone. a cross-sectional study
Creators: Augustus Osborne (Author) - Njala University (Freetown, Sierra Leone)
Peter Bai James (Corresponding Author) - Southern Cross University
Camilla Bangura (Author) - Njala University (Freetown, Sierra Leone)
Jia Bainga Kangbai (Author) - Njala University (Freetown, Sierra Leone)
Publication Details: Contraception and reproductive medicine, Vol.9, 25
Publisher: BioMed Central Ltd.
Identifiers: 991013191313402368
Academic Unit: National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

Exploring the drivers of unmet need for contraception among adolescents and young women in Sierra Leone. a cross-sectional study

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