Association between health system factors and utilization of modern contraceptives in Namutumba District, Uganda

Abstract

Namutumba District is located in rural East-Central Uganda, where the vast majority of women have unmet needs for family planning and/or child spacing, resulting in unplanned pregnancy, which is a primary cause of 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.  Religion and husband/partners support were 2 times more likely to influence modern contraceptive utilization compared to other social cultural characteristics Odds Ration [(OR=2.012, 95%CI 0.731-5.539) and (OR= 1.794, 95% CI 0.659-4.888)]. Similarly, decision maker for contraceptives and access to information [(OR= 0.17, 95% Confidence Interval (CI 0.485-2.824) (OR= 0.12, 95% CI 0.009-0.687)] respectively, did not have significant association with utilization of modern contraceptives. Finally, socio-cultural factors such as husband/partner support and religion were important in determining the usage of modern contraceptive techniques. The main recommendation is that the District Health Department 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 Family planning information, given that community members access health information from government health centres.