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. 2020 May 6:12:381-391.
doi: 10.2147/IJWH.S231859. eCollection 2020.

Early Resumption of Sexual Intercourse and Its Associated Factors Among Postpartum Women in Western Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Ebisa Turi Jambola  1 , Abebaw Addis Gelagay  2 , Aysheshim Kassahun Belew  3 , Amanuel Alemu Abajobir  4
Affiliations

Early Resumption of Sexual Intercourse and Its Associated Factors Among Postpartum Women in Western Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Ebisa Turi Jambola et al. Int J Womens Health. .

Abstract

Background: Women are often forced to recommence sexual intercourse after childbirth to maintain intimacy and fulfill their partners' desires. Early resumption of postpartum sexual intercourse leads to sexual health problems and unwanted pregnancy if not complemented with appropriate contraceptive use. However, sexual practice during the early postpartum period has received little attention in clinical and research settings. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the early resumption of sexual intercourse and its associated factors among postpartum women attending public health institutions in Nekemte town, Western Ethiopia.

Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was carried out from March to April 2019. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 528 postpartum women. An interviewer-administered, pretested, and structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were coded and entered into Epi Info 7.2.1, and exported to SPSS version 20.0 to run bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions.

Results: One in five postpartum women (20.2%, 95% CI: 17.1-23.6) practiced an early resumption of sexual intercourse, of whom three-fifths (58%) did not use any contraceptives. Women's secondary education (AOR=0.22, 95% CI: 0.07-0.71), husband's elementary (AOR=0.23, 95% CI: 0.06-0.87) and secondary education (AOR=0.25, 95% CI: 0.07-0.88), as well as women's fertility status (parity of one) (AOR=3.52, 95% CI: 1.24-10.01), normal vaginal delivery (AOR=5.44, 95% CI: 1.84-16.12), giving birth to a male child (AOR=1.94, 95% CI: 1.05-3.60), desire for another child (AOR=5.71, 95% CI: 1.89-17.25), and pressure from the husband to initiate intercourse (AOR=9.89, 95% CI: 4.99-19.58) were significantly associated with early resumption of sexual intercourse.

Conclusion: A significant proportion of postpartum women who resume early sexual intercourse do not use any contraceptives. Interventions that focus on strengthening the integration of postpartum sexual health education and service use are warranted.

Keywords: Ethiopia; early resumption of sexual intercourse; postpartum women.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sexual problems experienced among women who resumed sexual intercourse early.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Postpartum resumption of sexual intercourse and contraceptive use.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Reasons for non-resumption of postpartum sexual intercourse.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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