Determinants of Womens’ Decisions to Modern Contraceptive Use Among Women Aged 15-49 Years in Lira Municipality Innorthern Uganda

Abstract

Introduction: Uganda’s population constitutes a large pool of women entering their reproductive age which represents rapid population growth for decades to come. Given the current low contraceptive prevalence rate more profoundly in northern Uganda among all women of reproductive age 15-49 years. The study was intended to assess and provide detail factual report on the determinants of women’s decisions to modern contraceptive use among women aged 15-49 years in Lira Municipality as one the northern districts with low contraceptive prevalence rates.

ObjectiveThe main objective of this study was to assess the determinants of women’s decisions to modern contraceptive use among women aged 15-49 years in Lira Municipality.

Methodology: The study used a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional quantitative study design. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 2 out of 4divisions within Lira municipality.A total of 246 women of reproductive age (15-49) years were selected from Adyel and central wards in Lira municipality. The study locations were divided into primary and secondary sampling units, wards and villages were the primary and secondary sampling units respectively.

Results:65.4% of the respondents were in the age group of 15-19 years. Four in every ten, 40.2% of the respondents were married. 54.9% were not employed. 40.2% of the respondents had attained secondary education. Six in every ten, 60.2% of the respondents had a monthly income of 50,000shs-200,000shs. About 39.8% of the respondents had ever used modern contraceptives and 35.0% were currently using modern contraceptives, the commonest methods being used at 41.9% was Deprovera injection, pills and condoms at 15.1%. However,55.6% were not using modern contraceptives because of their husbands’ disapproval. The commonest reason for using modern contraceptives was to prevent unwanted pregnancy at 55.3%. Women who got information about modern contraceptive from their friends were 5.5 times more likely to use modern contraceptives.

Conclusion: Generally, the prevalence of modern contraceptives use was relatively low at 39.8% and with the proportion of women currently using or not using modern contraceptives at 35.0% and 65% respectively with the most preferred modern contraceptive method being Depo-Provera Injection at 41.9% and condoms at 15.1%.The main reason for some individual contraceptive choices are influence from friends(recommendation from satisfied users). The factors that significantly influenced modern contraceptives use were distance to the nearest family planning health facilities and provision of adequate information about contraceptive use. The other knowledge factors that significantly influenced modern contraceptives use were; sources of information, knowing if contraceptives have side effects and the knowledge on the actual side effects of modern contraceptive

Recommendations: Integration of FP services in sexual and reproductive health, most especially in child health clinics and immediately after delivery before mothers are discharged was critical in order to improve FP uptake. To strengthen modern contraceptive family planning usage, the study recommended for policy reviews, non-discriminatory public awareness creation, and increase of funding for family planning, strengthening health education syllabus and conducting research on viable Modern contraceptive method use, other than condoms use, there is need to improve method specific knowledge on a wide range of contraceptives and address related safety concerns.

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