PAP Burundi - Determinants of contraceptive method use

Dr Leonard Ntakarutima from the Research Department, National Public Health Institute, Bujumbura, Burundi presented in the international public health conference in Vientiane about the issues of  knowledge and use of contraceptive methods in Burundi. Fertility rate is high: around 6.4 children per woman.  Government aims at reducing it to 3 children per woman in 2025. To achieve this, contraceptive prevalence rate has to increase from 18% in 2010 to at least 50% in 2025.

This research identified reasons for low use of family planning services in Burundi.

Several factors were found to be influencing the use contraceptives: the woman’s age, education level and religion were important. It was also important what the partner’s attitude was with regard to family planning, and whether the couple was able to discuss such matters. The province where people lived was influencing use of contraceptives as well. For example, women in Ngozi province used 7 times more contraceptive methods than in Bururi; women having secondary school education used 2 times more than illiterate women, and women having dialogue with their partners on PF used 3 times more than those without dialogue.

Based on this research the Reproductive Health Programme in Burundi can set priorities for groups that need more support in increasing use of contraceptives.