Spatial Distribution and Risk Factors Associated with Contraceptive Use among Women of Reproductive Age in Zambia

Contraceptive use is an essential process in enhancing the lives of individuals by assisting in birth spacing, lowering maternal mortality, and preventing sexually transmitted infections. This study aimed to investigate the spatial distribution and gain insight into the risk factors associated with the widespread contraceptive use among women of reproductive age in Zambia.

The research used a stratified sampling design to examine the 2018/2019 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey data. The spatial generalized linear mixed model was used to incorporate the random effects into the data and account for the spatial variability at the district level.

The study found that age at first sex, woman’s age, education level, family size, household wealth index, marital status, number of living children, partner’s desire for more children, place of residence, preferred waiting time for the birth of another child, region, discussion about family planning at a health facility, and employment status were the risk factors associated with the widespread contraceptive use of women in Zambia. The smooth map revealed that Lusaka, Muchinga, Copperbelt, and Central provinces exhibit a high prevalence, while Western, Eastern, Southern, and Luapula provinces exhibit a low prevalence, and the Northern and North-Western regions exhibit a very low prevalence of contraceptive use.

The findings of the study suggest targeted interventions, such as promoting good health and well-being, achieving gender equality, and ensuring quality education for all women in this country. The findings also suggest interventions to support Zambia's regional development, with particular attention to areas with low contraceptive prevalence. The findings reported are consistent with other research literature on contraceptive use. The cross-sectional nature of the data precludes addressing the cause-and-effect relationship, and longitudinal data are suggested for future studies to investigate this relationship.

The present study underscores the important risk factors contributing to whether a woman in Zambia uses contraceptives. The findings imply that the government departments, institutions, co-operating partners, implementing partners, and civil society organizations must work together to fulfill the government’s goals regarding family planning initiatives that prioritize providing universal access to sexual and reproductive health services, such as family planning, education, and information, while also incorporating reproductive health into national strategies.