¹Department of Midwifery, College of Health Science, Jinka University, Jinka, Ethiopia
²Department of Nursing, College of Health Science, Jinka Unversity, Jinka, Ethiopia

^*Corresponding author: Buna Bushka, Department of Midwifery, College of Health Science, Jinka University, Jinka, Ethiopia, Email: [email protected]

Citation: Bushka et al. (2026). Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards Utilization of Long-acting Family Planning Methods Among Reproductive age Women in Jinka Town, Southern Ethiopia Region, 2025. Traditional Medicine. 7(2):39.

Copyright: Bushka et al. © (2026).

ABSTRACT

Long-acting contraceptive methods (LACMs) offer safe, effective, and low-maintenance protection against unintended pregnancy, with clinical durations ranging from 3 to 10 years. However, utilization in this setting remains critically low, with the intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) and implant usage rates at 0.8% and 3.4%, respectively. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding LACMs among women of reproductive age in Jinka Town in 2025.

A community-based, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2025 to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding long-acting family planning (LAFP) methods among reproductive-age women in Arkisha Kebele, Jinka Town, Southern Ethiopia. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. The study area was selected using simple random sampling, while individual participants were recruited via systematic random sampling. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, and the findings are presented using descriptive statistics.

The study revealed that 203 (72.0%) participants were aware of at least one LAFP method; of these, 59.1% knew of implants only, 38.4% knew both implants and intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs), and 2.5% knew of IUCDs only. Overall, 46.1% of the respondents demonstrated good knowledge, and 202 (71.6%) held a positive attitude toward LAFP. Current LAFP utilization was reported by 149 (84.7%) participants, among whom 91.3% used implants and 8.7% used IUCDs. Ultimately, good practice was observed in only 33.3% of the respondents.

The study reveals low knowledge of long-acting contraceptive methods (LACMs) in Jinka Town, with only 46.1% of the women demonstrating good knowledge. Regarding utilization, 52.8% of respondents reported prior use, while 47.2% had never used these methods. Furthermore, a substantial proportion of family planning clients expressed no intention to use LACMs in the future, underscoring persistent gaps in awareness and attitudes that continue to limit uptake.

To enhance the utilization of long-acting family planning (LAFP) methods, all family planning-providing facilities should implement targeted, community-level health education and provider-led Information, Education, and Communication/Behavior Change Communication (IEC/BCC) campaigns. These initiatives should address specific misconceptions and barriers to LAFP uptake, leverage peer-to-peer testimonies from satisfied users, and integrate focused counseling into routine antenatal care (ANC), postnatal care (PNC), and childhood immunization services. Furthermore, systematic monitoring and evaluation of these interventions are critical to optimizing public knowledge, attitudes, and overall service utilization.

Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Contraceptives, Family Planning

ABBREVIATION AND ACRONYMS

ANC: Antenatal Care

CPR: Contraceptive Prevalence Rate

EDHS: Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey

EPI: Expanded Portray of Immunization.

FP: Family Planning

IUCD: Intrauterine contraceptive device                                                                                    

LACs: Long-Acting Contraceptives

LARCs: Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives

LAPMs: Long Acting and Permanent Methods

MCH: Maternal and Child Health

MC: Modern Contraception

OPD: Out Patient Department

SPSS: Statistical Package for Social Science

VCT: Voluntary, Counseling and Testing

WHO: World Health Organization