Immediate Postpartum Family Planning Preferences Among Couples in Rwanda

INTRODUCTION: Improving access to modern methods of contraception and decreasing the unmet need for contraception are important in working toward decreasing the rates of unintended pregnancy. This study was designed to obtain a greater understanding of desire for contraception among women and their partners in Rwanda and assess factors associated with uptake of contraception in the immediate postpartum period.

METHODS: The cross-sectional, family planning attitude and practices survey was conducted among postpartum women and their partners prior to discharge from the hospital. The study was conducted at two large referral hospitals providing maternity care in Rwanda. Data was aggregated and we performed comparison on postpartum contraception attitude and practices among women and partners and logistic regression.

RESULTS: One hundred and five patients and thirty-one partners of patients completed the questionnaire. Immediately postpartum, 47.6% of women desired contraception, while only 11.4% received postpartum family planning (PPFP) prior to discharge. Factors associated with a patient receiving PPFP immediately postpartum include: discussing PPFP with provider during antenatal care (p = 0.02), discussing with partner immediately postpartum (p = 0.003), and discussing with provider immediately postpartum (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION: These findings indicate a gap in postpartum contraception counseling and uptake in Rwanda.