The Influence of Social-cultural Characteristics on the Utilization of Modern Contraceptives in Namutumba District, Uganda

Abstract

Namutumba district lays in the rural areas of East-Central Uganda, where a large majority of women have unmet need for family planning and or child-spacing resulting into unwanted pregnancy which is a leading factor for high maternal morbidity and mortality. This study seeks to document the influence of social-cultural characteristics on the utilization of modern contraceptives in Namutumba District. A cross-sectional study on modern contraceptive utilization was conducted on 308 women of child bearing age in the community and 8 service providers in 4 health facilities. Data was collected using Semi-structured and in-depth interviews by the research assistants through standardized pre-coded questionnaires at the residence or workplace of the study participant. Socio-cultural factors significantly associated with modern contraceptive utilization were: place of residence and desire for more children, [(OR= 0.58, P= 0.004, 95% CI 0.003-0.910) (OR=1.5, P= 0.029, 95% CI 0.015-0.625)] respectively. Religion and husband/partners support were 2 times more likely to influence modern contraceptive utilization compared to other social cultural characteristics [(OR=2.012, 95%CI 0.731-5.539) and (OR= 1.794, 95% CI 0.659-4.888)]. Conclusively, socio-cultural factors like husband/partner support and religion were also crucial in influencing the use of modern contraceptive methods. The main recommendation is that District Health department should improve modern contraceptive utilization among women of reproductive age by strengthening IEC, at all levels through support supervisions, mentorships and continuous medical education to improve access to information on Family planning, owing to the fact that community members access health information from government health centres.