Postpartum emotional fertility intentions in Ethiopia: an insight and correlates from a national women and newborns cohort study

Abstract

Background: Women´s emotional fertility intentions to conceive are an integral part of Reproductive Health (RH) right which can also be considered as decision-making over their fertility. In this study, postpartum emotional fertility intention was measured by asking a cohort of women how they would feel if they became pregnant by their one year postpartum following the index birth. Emotional health and couples communication are key during pregnancy, childbirth and in the postpartum period coupled with the simultaneous reproductive coercion (RC) minimization. The postpartum period is a key for the newborns milestones development and in maintaining maternal emotional, psychosocial, and mental health. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the level of one-year postpartum emotional fertility intention and identifying its correlates among a cohort of one-year postpartum women. The Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health and relevant developmental partners can use this evidence as an action point to empower women to exercise their reproductive health rights and rights related to reproduction. Methods: Nationally representative Ethiopia Performance Monitoring for Action (EPMA) women and newborns cohort survey data collected from eligible women in four rounds were further analyzed in this study. This study collected real-time data on various sexual, reproductive, maternal and newborns nationwide priority indicators using customized Open Data Kit Mobile application. These data were collected using a standard pretested questionnaire prepared in English and translated in three local languages (Amharic, Afan Oromo and Tigrigna) by well-experienced resident enumerators. This study was limited to the further analysis of 1,703 non-pregnant women by their one-year postpartum. Frequencies were computed to describe the study participant’s characteristics.