Factors influencing modern contraceptive use in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Family planning allows individuals and couples to schedule and regulate births at the appropriate time and number. Women who carry unplanned pregnancies are susceptible to postnatal complications, which directly impact their well-being, making them a burden to society. There are 27600 adolescent abortions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), accounting for about 19 percent of abortion cases in Kinshasa in 2021 while the reproduction rate remains one of the highest in the world at 5.7 and a low contraceptive prevalence across all methods (28%) in 2022. This study aims to determine the factors that influence modern contraceptive use among women in Kinshasa city in the Democratic Republic of Congo by using data from the PMA 2020 cross-sectional survey to assess the association between predictors and modern contraceptive use through logistic regression analysis (OR and 95% CI). Findings show that older women are more likely to use modern contraceptive than younger (15-22) and their sensitivity diminishes as they age. This likelihood is also high when women do not discuss this topic with their partner. As household size increases, womens use of modern contraceptives is positively affected (OR: 4.993). The same is true for women who have given birth at least compared to those who have never given birth (OR: 2.313). Wanting fewer children makes her more likely to use these contraceptives than when she wants more (OR: 1.244). Male condoms, emergency contraceptives and pills were used more by women aged 15-31 while the most common contraceptive method used only by older women is female sterilization. In a country with rapid population growth such as the DRC, the strategy should focus on raising awareness among young women through school programs, health facilities, community outreach, and other means to achieve optimal use of modern contraceptives based on commonly used methods and involving adult men and women.