Introduction: The persistently high fertility despite family planning programmes has led to
population explosion, with various effects on man and his environment. This study compared
contraceptive practices among rural and urban women in Osun State, South-western Nigeria
Methodology: Descriptive, cross sectional comparative study among 1024 women of
reproductive age group using multistage sampling method. Research instrument used were precoded,
pre-tested, semi structured interviewer administered questionnaires, and data analyzed
using the SPSS software.
Results: Four hundred and thirteen (83.4%) and 475 (95.4%) of rural and urban respondents
were aware of contraceptives with only 86(18.6%) and 239(48.5%) using a method respectively.
Seventeen (3.3%) and 95(18.6%) of rural and urban respondents respectively used their
contraceptive methods consistently. Thirty eight (7.4%) and 118 (23.1%) of urban and rural
respondents respectively used a condom the last time they had sexual intercourse. Mean number
of births per woman was 3.4+1.8 births per woman in rural, and 2.9+1.5 births per urban woman.
Sixty nine (44.3%) of rural and 164 (52.4%) of urban respondents had discontinued their
contraceptive method at one time or the other
Women with formal education had about a half (OR=0.59, C.I=0.45-0.95 and p=0.001)
fold fertility compared to women with no formal education. Similarly women who used
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contraceptives have about one-eight (OR=0.08, C.I=0.06-0.12 and p=0.019) fold chance of a
fertility compared to women not using contraceptives.
Conclusion: Contraceptive services should be made more accessible to all women of child
bearing age, most especially those living in rural communities.