Integrated postpartum family planning utilization with maternal health services and associated factors in governmental hospitals of northeast Ethiopia: institution-based cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: postpartum family planning (PPFP) is one of the least utilized reproductive health services in Ethiopia. Its integration with maternal health services helps to improve postpartum contraceptive use. Although integrating PPFP with maternal health services can improve postpartum contraceptive uptake, implementation of integrated services remains suboptimal in many settings. The study assessed utilization of integrated PPFP and associated factors in government hospitals of northeast Ethiopia. METHODS: a facility-based cross-sectional study design was employed. The study was conducted in four hospitals with a total of 607 participants. Data were collected using face-to-face, interviewer-administered standardized questionnaires and analyzed with SPSS version 26. Variables with a p-value less than 0.25 in the bivariable analysis were included in the multivariable logistic regression. Variables with p-values less than 0.05 at 95% CI in the multivariable analysis were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: the level of integrated postpartum family planning utilization with maternal health services was 25% (95% CI: 21.6% - 28.5%). Factors associated with utilization were hospital level (AOR = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.20 - 0.80), previous contraceptive use (AOR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.20 - 0.80), currently pregnant (AOR = 6.80; 95% CI: 1.50 - 29.50), received family planning counseling (AOR = 0.17; 95% CI: 0.10 -0.30), service provider support (AOR = 3.60; 95% CI: 1.80 - 7.00) and women's decision on contraceptive use during the same-day hospital visit (AOR = 3.60; 95% CI: 1.80 - 7.00). CONCLUSION: utilization of the integrated PPFP service was low. Strengthening PPFP integration across all hospital levels through provider training and routine counselling is recommended.