Birungi Julian Daisy, Prossy Tumukunde, Rebecca Nekaka, Julius Nteziyaremye
Background: Contraception is a worthwhile and cost effective investment that has potential to spur national development. It is important in averting significant maternal and childhood morbidity and mortality. No wonder countries with low contraceptive prevalence rates (CPR) have poor maternal and childhood health indicators. Consequently, during the 2012 London conference Uganda set a target of improving modern CPR (mCPR) to 50% by 2020. We report how eastern Uganda is faring on this commitment and identify the factors associated with contraceptive uptake.
Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, we recruited 418 sexually active women aged 15-49 years who had come to nurse their sick ones in a tertiary hospital. We used systematic sampling to recruit participants. Data was collected using an interviewer administered pretested questionnaire, analyzed using STAT version 19.
Results: Of the 418 women respondents, 15.6% were teens while 50% were aged 20-29 years. Significantly, 64.59% were married. The majority, 78.7% were informally employed, and more than 62% were Christians. Moreover, 97.8% were formal educated and 52.2% had 1-4 living children. The overall contraceptive prevalence was 33.7% while mCPR was 30.86%. Significantly whereas 36.6% had ever used contraception, 29.7% had never. The top contraceptives choices were injectables (56.7%), implants (27%), calendar method (6.4%) and abstinence (2.8%). Significantly, 99.8% were aware of contraception and, radio (91%) and health workers (82%) being major sources of information. Significant factors affecting uptake include age and marital status, youngest child’s age, decision when to have next child, history of sexually transmitted disease, partner’s age and support.
Conclusion: The contraceptive prevalence rates are below the national average and the London target despite significant awareness among women. Efforts to increase uptake should include male involvement, continued dissemination of information and reinforcing sexual and reproductive health education in schools. This will help to demystify misconceptions, misapprehensions and myths about contraceptives.