Abstract

This study was conducted in Muk-Lami town located at 498 km from Addis Ababa and 54 km far from the Western Wollega zonal city, Ghimbi. The study was concerned with reproductive health and contraception where females in the study area have less exposure to contraceptives, choice and proper utilization of methods. This study attempted to investigate major determinants of contraceptive choice, use and side effects on female clients attending family planning services at Muk-Lami Governmental Health Center. The data was collected from women clients selected by simple random method for further information concerning choice and side effects of contraceptives among women attending family planning services. The data had been collected from 182 women between age categories of 20-49 years. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Among contraceptive clients, 39.56% of women have not been informed about contraceptives. Obtained results showed that each contraception method had its own side effects that ranged from mild to severe health complications and reproductive risks on mothers. The majority (61.54%) of clients responded that they feel at least a minimum discomfort whenever using one of the modern birth control methods. Findings of this study also revealed that educated and non-educated women did not have similar and adequate knowledge on contraception. Therefore, educational experts, medical sectors and other concerned bodies including NGOs should empower women through special sex education for successful implementation of family planning programs.

Key words: Birth control, contraceptive, clients, pregnancy, side effect, women