Perceptions and Preferences of Female Youths Towards Post Abortion Family Planning Counselling in Kampala in Kampala
Year: 2016
Author: BAGONZA JOSEPH
Supervisor: Dr. Nionzima Elizabeth
Abstract
Background
The study was conducted in Kampala, to determine perceived benefits, to determine perceived challenges and to assess preferences of female youths towards post abortion family planning counselling. Kampala has the highest abortion rates compared to other regions in Uganda. With the legal status of abortion still contested in religious, moral, cultural, and political dimensions, many unsafe induced abortions go unnoticed and thus putting lives of many women at risk. Provision of post abortion family planning counselling and services to all post abortion clients is one way of preventing repeat abortions.
Main objective
The main objective of the study was to assess the perceptions and preferences of female youths towards post abortion family planning counselling among health facilities in Kampala in order provide research based evidence and methods that would help improve sensitization and access of female youths towards post abortion family planning counseling and services in Kampala.
Methodology
A descriptive cross sectional and non interventional study design was used in which a qualitative technique was applied for data collection in order to explore a wider range of views of female youths towards post abortion family planning counselling in Kampala. In-depth interviews were conducted using audio devices and disc tapes with guidance of an In-depth interview guide. Data was analyzed manually using a thematic approach of qualitative content analysis in which transcribed information was arranged into codes, themes and sub themes.
Results
Prevention of unwanted pregnancies and enhanced contraceptive use were the most repeatedly mentioned benefits of family planning counselling across interviews. However, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and child spacing were also attributed to post abortion family planning counselling. Respondents’ perceived challenges in accessing post abortion family planning services included lack of privacy , lack of confidentiality, poor attitude of health workers , lack of time by health workers, stigmatization, long waiting time , religious influence, fear for legal implication, myths and misinformation about family planning, and past experiences with family planning methods. All the above highlighted challenges played a role in influencing access to post abortion family planning counselling. Respondents also expressed preference for private health facilities, getting both abortion and family planning counselling at once as a single service and need for more time for counselling.
Conclusion
Generally, the perceived challenges in accessing post abortion family planning counselling, are still many among the youths and these outweigh the perceived benefits. However, some challenges where accelerated by lack of adequate information and awareness about the benefits of post abortion family planning counselling among female youths in Kampala. This coupled with myths and misinformation makes it necessary to create awareness about the importance of post abortion family planning counselling through sensitization of the youth. Furthermore, given that some respondents had never used any family planning method, yet they expressed need for counselling, also makes it worthy to conclude that there is low sensitization about family planning counselling in the communities, which may lead to more unwanted pregnancies and more abortions if the sensitization mechanism is not improved.
Recommendation
There is need for increased sensitization of women especially the youth on the importance of family planning counselling and the dangers of unsafe abortion, especially in areas where abortion is still high. This can be done through media, youth education, and local drama to enlighten the youth about the importance of family planning counselling. In addition, family planning policies need to be revised to further emphasize the importance of post abortion family planning counseling so that both clients and health workers can comfortably embrace post abortion family planning counselling without any worries of being implicated by the law on abortion.
Key words
Abortion, Post abortion care, Family planning, Induced abortion, Post abortion family planning counseling.