Background

In Ethiopia, the prevalence of modern contraceptive use is very low (27 %) and the percentage of those with unmet needs for family planning is 25 %. The current study identified factors associated with the utilization of modern contraceptive methods among married women in Western Ethiopia.

Methods

A community based, cross-sectional study was employed from April 10 to April 25, 2014, among married women of reproductive age in Nekemte Town. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 1003 study participants. A pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect data, and data collectors who had completed high school were involved in the data collection process. A bivariate, multivariable logistic regression model was fit, and statistical significance was determined with a 95 % confidence level.

Result

The overall utilization rate of modern contraceptives in this study was 71.9 %. The most common form of modern contraceptives used was injectable (60.3 %). Age (AOR = 2.00, 95 % CI = 1.35–2.98), women’s educational level (AOR = 2.50, 95 % CI = 1.62–3.84), monthly income (AOR = 2.26, 95 % CI = 1.24–4.10), respondent’s fertility (AOR = 2.60, 95 % CI = 1.48–4.56), fertility-related decision (AOR = 3.70, 95 % CI = 2.45–5.58), and having radio (AOR = 1.93, 95 % CI = 1.37–2.71) showed significant positive associations with the utilization of modern contraceptive methods.

Conclusions

The findings showed that women’s empowerment, fertility-related discussions among couples, and the availability of the media were important factors that influenced the use of modern contraceptives. Thus, policymakers and implementers should work on those factors to increase the utilization of modern contraceptive methods.