Contraceptive Use and Family Size Preferences among Married Women of Reproductive Age in Jimma Arjo District of Eastern Wellega Zone in Oromia, Ethiopia

Background: Ethiopia is one of Sub-Saharan Africa countries in which high fertility (5.4 births per woman) is observed. Family planning programs have always been considered as the interventions of choice for slowing population growth and family size preference is useful in suggesting its demand. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess contraceptive use and family size preferences among currently married women of reproductive age in Jimma Arjo district. Methods: Community based cross sectional study design was conducted from January to February 2011. A total of five kebeles were selected by lottery method from 22 kebeles in Jimma Arjo district, Oromia, Ethiopia and a total of 475 married women were interviewed using systematic random sampling technique. Results: The result indicated that 57.1% of married women were using modern contraceptive methods. Average number of children a woman had during the survey excluding current pregnancy was 3.8. In the logistic regression, women of age 35-49 years (AOR: 5.54 (1.8-17.04), 95% CI) and women who have had at least one child death (OR 0.45 (0.3-0.67) 95% CI) were determinant factors for limiting child birth. Conclusion: The use of long acting and permanent methods was seen to be very low and women those desired to limit child bearing in this study area are lower compared to other studies. As a result, any program aimed at promoting family planning in this area should look for ways and means of reducing the intension of having many children.