Contraceptive use among sexually active female adolescents in Ethiopia: trends and determinants from national demographic and health surveys

Abstract

Plain English summary Adolescent contributes up to 16 per cent of the world’s population. Sexual and reproductive health and right of these populations is a global priority. Teenage pregnancy is a public health issue and a demographic challenge in Ethiopia. A contraceptive method is best for sexually active adolescents to prevent pregnancies and its related complications. Data for this study are from the four Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys [EDHS] conducted in 2000, 2005, 2011, and 2016. Data for sexually active adolescent girls were extracted from the data set. The trend of contraceptive use among adolescents is increasing from time to time. However, more than three-fifth of the sexually active female adolescents are still not using any type of contraception. There were significant variations in the use of modern contraception by background characteristics of the respondents. In all four rounds of the EDHS, modern contraceptive use was common among adolescents in 18–19 years, who attended secondary and above educational level, lived in urban areas, and was from wealthy family groups.

Keywords

• Adolescent
• Contraception
• Family planning
• Sexual and reproductive health and right
• Utilization
• Ethiopia