ABSTRACT
A case-referent study to identify factors influencing the use and non-use of modern contraception was conducted in Jimma Town; a major urban center in south-western Ethiopia. Two hundred and fifty eight contraceptive users; selected from the registration books of three family planning clinics using simple random sampling techniques; were compared with age (+-2 years) and neighbourhood (matched 258 contraceptive non-users). The study revealed that birth place; duration of urban residence; religion; ethnic origin; number of rooms available for living and availability of radio; television and telephone do not have statistically significant association with contraceptive use (P0.05 in all cases). On the other hand; statistically significant association was noted between contraceptive use and marital status; educational status; occupational status; family monthly income and higher mean number of pregnancies; live births and living children. Taking a one ratio of male to female children of the sex composition of living children as a reference group; lack of male child is associated with a lower chance of contraceptive use (odds ratio = 0.497; P0.05). Among married women; higher educational and occupational status and monthly income of the spouse were also found to be associated with a higher chance of contraceptive use. In view of the several socio-demographic factors identified by the study; a multisectoral effort geared at urban disadvantaged women is recommended