The Role of Ideation on Intention to Use Contraceptives Among Married Women in Shenen Dhugo District, Eastern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: The utilization of modern contraceptives remains low in sub-Saharan African countries, including Ethiopia. The main barrier to the intention to use contraceptives may be the dimensions of ideation. Therefore, this study assessed the role of ideation on the intention to use contraceptives in Shenen Dhugo district, eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 501 married women in Shenen Dhugo district, eastern Ethiopia, from September 1 to 30, 2023. Two-stage stratified sampling techniques were employed to select the participants. The collected data were entered into EpiData Version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS Version 27.0. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to analyze the determinants of intention to use contraceptives. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval was used to report the strength of the association, and the statistical significance was declared at a p - value < 0.05. RESULTS: In this study, 48.5% (95% CI: 44.1%, 52.9%) of married women intended to use contraceptives. Dimensions of contraceptive ideation: social interaction (AOR = 4.54, 95% CI: 2.73, 7.53), attitude toward contraceptives (AOR = 3.56, 95% CI: 2.11, 6.00), perceived self-efficacy (AOR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.45, 3.79), awareness about contraceptives (AOR = 3.76, 95% CI: 1.94, 7.29), and perceived norms (AOR = 2.82, 95% CI: 1.70, 4.69) were found to be the main predictors of contraceptive use intention. Having a higher income (AOR = 3.15, 95% CI: 1.44, 6.90), secondary school education level (AOR = 3.25, 95% CI: 1.20, 8.80), and having used previous contraceptives (AOR = 5.74, 95% CI: 3.27, 10.07) were the factors improving the women's intention to use contraceptives. CONCLUSION: Nearly half of married women intended to use a contraceptive in Shenen Dhugo, eastern Ethiopia. This study also provides evidence about the importance of ideation in helping to promote women's intention to use contraceptives. Therefore, developing interventions that enhance women's contraceptive ideation and encouraging couples to determine a preferred family size are innovative strategies for contraceptive self-efficacy and intention to use. In addition, providing behavioral change health education on contraceptives at every entry point in the health system while addressing existing myths and rumors regarding contraceptive side effects is necessary to strengthen intention and utilization of contraceptives.