PRACTICE OF CONTRACEPTION AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC IN LAUTECH TEACHING HOSPITAL OGBOMOSO

Contraceptive use and knowledge among pregnant women are vital for improving maternal health outcomes. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of contraception among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, involving 90 respondents selected through convenience sampling method. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.82. The analysis utilized both descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistics (chi-square test). Results indicated a high level of knowledge regarding contraception, with 90% recognizing its importance for family planning. However, contraceptive use prior to the current pregnancy was only 45.6%. Additionally, barriers such as religious beliefs (30%), cultural influences (35.6%), and misinformation (37.8%) were noted as impediments to contraceptive use. Hypothesis was tested and it reveals that there is a significance relationship between the level of education of pregnant women and their knowledge on contraception in LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Ogbomoso Oyo State(P-value .000 <0.05). Also, there is no significance relationship between the occupation of pregnant women and their practice of contraception in LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Ogbomoso Oyo State (P-value .0276 >0.05). These findings highlight the gap between knowledge and actual use of contraception. Targeted health education and male partner involvement are recommended to improve contraceptive uptake and support maternal health. Addressing cultural and religious misconceptions will also be key to enhancing contraception practices in this population. In conclusion, improving educational interventions and addressing misconceptions surrounding contraception are crucial to enhancing knowledge and practice among pregnant women in this population.