Trends in contraceptive use in Tanzania, 1996-2016

Only one in four Sub-Saharan African women have access to contraceptive methods (Tilahun, 2016). Although birth rates are decreasing, and contraceptive use is increasing in much of the developed world, birth rates are classified as high and contraceptive use as very low in much of Sub-Saharan Africa (Larsson & Stanfors, 2014). In twenty years, Tanzania’s fertility rate has only slightly decreased - from 5.8 in 1996 to 5.0 in 2016 (The World Bank, 2019). One way to reduce high fertility rates is through contraceptive use to limit unwanted pregnancies (Brown et al., 2015). The current study uses nationally representative data from Demographic and Health Survey data collected by the United States Agency for International Development in the United Republic of Tanzania. Five cycles of survey data (1996, 1999, 2004-2005, 2010, and 2015-2016) were analyzed to determine trends in contraceptive use among Tanzanian women aged 15-49 years. Individuals reporting no use of any method of contraception decreased by 18% (p<0.001) from 1996 to 2015-2016. There was an upward trend of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) use, with the number of women using injections more than doubling from 1996 to 2015-2016. An even more drastic increase was seen among Norplant/Implant users increasing by more than 6% during the same time period. The proportion of women using some form of modern contraception also doubled. Regardless of these increases, relatively consistent low contraceptive use rates persisted. This, in conjunction with the burden of a high fertility rate, could continue to burden Tanzania. By identifying contraceptive use trends and factors associated with use over time in Tanzania, it is possible to provide a foundation to better understand of the environments which encourage these low usage rates.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Community Health

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2019

Author dc:creator

• Adams, Ashley M.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Andrade, Flavia
• Greenlee, Andrew
• DeMaria, Andrea
• Singleton, Chelsea

• Africa
• Sub-Saharan Africa
• Tanzania
• Sexual and Reproductive Health
• Contraception
• Contraceptive Use
• Family Planning
• Trends
• Demographic and Health Survey
• Young Women

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2019 Ashley M Adams

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/105229

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/105229