Postpartum sexual activity and contraceptive use among women in a southwest health facility Osun State Nigeria

Authors

  • Oluwaseyi F. Oke Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
  • Elizabeth O. Oke Department of Chemical Pathology, Bowen University Iwo, Nigeria
  • Kola M. Owonikoko Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
  • Taiwo W. Oladiran Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
  • Adefisoye O. Adewole Department of Community Medicine, Department of Chemical Pathology, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
  • Temitope S. Adu Department of Physiology, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
  • Samson A. Ojedokun Department of Chemical Pathology, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
  • Ernest O. Orji Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals’ Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20221746

Keywords:

Sexual activity resumption, Puerperium, Contraceptive usage, Postpartum sexual intercourse

Abstract

Background: The post-partum period presents a risk in unwanted/unplanned conception and often frustrating desire for contraceptive. This study aimed to determine the factors enhancing resumption of sexual intercourse, contraceptive usage and barriers to timely uptake of family planning methods.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 340 women within 3 to 16 weeks postpartum. Structured questionnaires adopted from similar studies were administered within three months. Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 21.

Results: 62.6% (213) of women resumed sexual activity with a mean time of 11.37 weeks±8.85 postpartum. More than one-third 37.6% (80) did so within puerperium and husbands in 78.4% (167) initiated sex. About 50% (107) were on modern contraceptives, whereas only 39.3% (42) were on contraception before their first postpartum sexual experience.

Conclusions: There was high rate of resumption of sexual intercourse early in postpartum with less attention on contraceptive usage mostly due to misconceptions surrounding fertility return. Sexual and contraceptive education after delivery is necessary for both mothers and their husbands.

 

Author Biography

Oluwaseyi F. Oke, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Consultant Obstetrician and Gyneacologyist, Department of Obs &Gynea

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Published

2022-06-28

How to Cite

Oke, O. F., Oke, E. O., Owonikoko, K. M., Oladiran, T. W., Adewole, A. O., Adu, T. S., Ojedokun, S. A., & O. Orji, E. (2022). Postpartum sexual activity and contraceptive use among women in a southwest health facility Osun State Nigeria. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 9(7), 2839–2846. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20221746

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Section

Original Research Articles