Hormonal contraceptive use among women living with hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa: insights from 12 countries

TL;DR

This study explores how often women with hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa use hormonal contraceptives and finds that only 18.5% use them, with education and media exposure being key factors.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into hormonal contraceptive use patterns among hypertensive women in sub-Saharan Africa.

Findings

Only 18.5% of women with hypertension use hormonal contraceptives.

Higher education and radio exposure increase the likelihood of use.

Older women and those in non-marital relationships are less likely to use hormonal contraceptives.

Abstract

Given the well-established link between hormonal contraceptives and hypertension risk, and the paucity of research on hormonal contraceptive use dynamics in this particular demographic, we hypothesize that there is a likelihood of low utilization of high-risk hormonal contraceptives among women living with hypertension in SSA. This study investigates the prevalence and factors associated with hormonal contraceptive use among women living with hypertension in the SSA.

Only 18.5% of women living with hypertension used hormonal contraceptives. Hormonal contraceptive use was high among women with a higher level of education (aOR = 2.33; 95%CI: 1.73–3.14), those currently working (aOR = 1.38; 95%CI: 1.20–1.59), those who have heard about family planning on the radio (aOR = 1.27, 95%CI: 1.09–1.47), listened to the radio at least once a week (aOR = 1.29, 95%CI: 1.10–1.51), and those residing in rural areas (aOR = 1.32; 95%CI: 1.14–1.54). Conversely, women aged 45–49 exhibited a substantial decrease in the odds of hormonal contraceptive use (aOR = 0.23, 95%CI: 0.14–0.38) compared to younger women (15–19 years). Likewise, the odds of HCU were low among cohabiting (aOR = 0.66; 95%CI: 0.48–0.89) and previously married women (aOR = 0.67; 95%CI: 0.50–0.91) than never married women.