Understanding the association between informed choice and long‐term reversible contraception among Ugandan women: Findings from the 2016 Demographic Health Survey.

Objectives: To understand the relationship between informed choice and long‐acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) use among women aged 15–49 years in Uganda after adjusting for potential confounding. Methods: This cross‐sectional study uses data from the 2016 Uganda Standard Demographic and Health Survey. Thomas‐Rao corrections to a χ2 test were used for the bivariable analysis. A design‐adjusted multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the association between informed choice and LARC use. Propensity score matching was conducted as a sensitivity analysis. Results: In all, 3646 women were included in the analysis and 975 reported using a LARC. In the design‐adjusted multivariable analysis, the odds of reporting LARC usage were 1.98 (95% confidence interval 1.61–2.43) times higher among women who reported informed choice compared with those who did not. The subsequent propensity score analysis reported similar findings. Conclusion: Providing informed choice can help to increase the number of women who use LARC in Uganda. As such, the Ugandan Ministry of Health should further expand access to family planning counseling as it could contribute to the reduction of unplanned pregnancies across Uganda with the use of LARC. Synopsis: Ugandan women who reported informed choice were approximately twice as likely to report using a LARC compared with those who used another modern contraceptive method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]