Postpartum Contraceptive Use In Parakou (A City In Northern Benin) In 2018: A Community Based Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Over 30% of maternal deaths and 10% of infant deaths are avoidable if couples space out births at intervals of 2 years or greater. This study aimed to identify factors associated with contraceptive use in the postpartum period. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study among postpartum women living in Parakou. Participants were selected using a two-stage sampling method. Postpartum contraceptive use was defined as the use of at least one contraceptive method at the time of the survey. Independent variables included socio demographic and reproductive history. For the analysis we performed a multiple logistic regression and we calculated odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The study included 453 postpartum women. Among the participants, 59 (13%) were using a contraceptive method. Injectable contraceptives were the most common method used (25.4%). Factors associated with contraceptive use in the postpartum period included history of contraceptive use (AOR=9.4; p<0.001), resumption of sexual intercourse (AOR=5.7; p<0.001), discussion with partner about contraceptive method (AOR=5.7; p=0.005), need of partner's approval before adopting a contraceptive method (AOR=0.4; p=0.014) and counseling during pregnancy, in the delivery room, and during postnatal visits (AOR=2.7; p=0.019). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of contraceptive use during the postpartum period remains low. Interventions should be designed with a focus on the associated factors in order to increase postpartum contraceptive use in Parakou.

[Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine-based intermittent preventive treatment in pregnant women and its effect on birth weight: application of 3-dosing regimen in the urban area of South Benin in 2017]. / Traitement préventif intermittent à la sulfadoxine-pyriméthamine chez la femme enceinte et effet sur le poids de naissance du bébé: application de la politique à 3 doses en zone urbaine au Sud Bénin en 2017.

INTRODUCTION: Malaria is a major public health problem, responsible for many complications during pregnancy including inadequate intra-uterine growth and hypotrophies. The aim of this study was to determine the adherence to the 3 doses of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine-based intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) on birthweight in the Cotonou health zone II and III. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study focusing on 630 women in the postpartum period residing in the Cotonou health zone II and III and selected using a two stage sample. Data were collected through a questionnaire and a data processing form. For analysis, data were weighted and we used variance analysis to compare means and to compare proportions with Chi-square Test including estimates regarding the strength of the association by odds ratio (OR) and confidence interval at 95%. RESULTS: Adherence to the 3 doses of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine-based intermittent preventive treatment was 34.08% (CI95%: 24.84% 43.30%]. A significant birthweight-gain of 264.5 g (p < 0.001) in mothers who had received more than 3 doses of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine-based intermittent preventive treatment and chances of having low birth weight baby was lower (OR = 0.45; p = 0.001) among these mothers compared to those who had received less than 3 doses of sulfadoxine pyrimethamine. CONCLUSION: This study highlights low adherence to the new 3-dose regimen of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine-based intermittent preventive treatment in the Cotonou health zone II and III, but it reflects its potential to contribute to the reduction of the risk of low birth weight. Strategies must therefore be implemented to strengthen its application for prevention of malaria and of its consequences on vulnerable targets.