Continuous Spatial Mapping of the Use of Modern Family Planning Methods in Nigeria

AbstractThe prevalence of use of modern contraceptive has remained persistently low in Nigeria despite huge investments aimed at accelerated progress. Studies have indicated the existence of north-south divide in usage but the analysis at state levels conceals local variations since each Nigerian state is made of people holding different cultural and religious ideologies that shape their behaviour. We undertake a spatio-temporal mapping, at continuous spatial scale, of the prevalence of use of modern contraceptives among women of reproductive age (15 –49 years) in Nigeria using data from four waves of the Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys (2003,  2013,2018) with a view of identifying the prevalence across smaller spatial units of the country. We also compute the exceedance probability maps at different threshold values. The findings indicate that by 2003, the majority of locations in northern part of the country have lower chances of exceeding 10% prevalence but by 2018, the highest prevalence in any small area within the country revolves around 50% with the prevalence exceeding 10% in many locations, extending to places in northern part of the country hitherto with low prevalence. The findings could guide in the allocation of scare resource and to compare performance across space and over time.
Source: Global Social Welfare - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research