title: Pregnancy history and current use of contraception among women of reproductive age in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda: analysis of demographic and health survey data.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the relationship between pregnancy history and the use of contraception among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in East Africa.
  
  
  METHODS
  Demographic and Health Surveys data from Burundi (2010), Kenya (2008-2009), Rwanda (2010), Tanzania (2010) and Uganda (2011) were used in the analysis. Logistic regression was used to determine the effects of women's pregnancy history on their use of contraception.
  
  
  METHODS
  Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.
  
  
  METHODS
  3226, 2377, 4396, 3250 and 2596 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, respectively, were included in the analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women who had experienced a mistimed pregnancy were more likely to use a modern contraceptive method during their most recent sexual encounter in Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda. Other significant correlates of women's contraceptive use were: desire for more children, parity, household wealth, maternal education and access information through radio. In-country regional differences on use of modern contraceptive methods were noted across five East African countries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women's birth histories were significantly associated with their decision to adopt a modern contraceptive method. This highlights the importance of considering women's birth histories, especially women with mistimed births, in the promotion of contraceptive use in East Africa. Variations as a result of place of residency, educational attainment, access to family planning information and products, and wealth ought to be addressed in efforts to increase use of modern contraceptive methods in the East African region.
authors.affiliation: Health Challenges and Systems Research Program, African Population & Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bakibinga
authors.affiliation: Population Council, General Accident Insurance House, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Dennis J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Matanda
authors.affiliation: East African Community Secretariat, EAC Close, Arusha, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Rogers
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ayiko
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rujumba
authors.affiliation: Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Muiruri
authors.affiliation: Health Challenges and Systems Research Program, African Population & Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Djesika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Amendah
authors.affiliation: African Institute for Development Policy, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Atela
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000351:Africa, Eastern; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods*; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003710:Demography; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D017584:Reproductive History; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Burundi; Contraceptive use; Kenya; Pregnancy history; Rwanda; Tanzania, Uganda