Utilization of contraceptive Services Among the Youths in Uganda:
Abstract
Background:
Evidences indicates that using any form of family planning methods saves and improves women lives, their children, and their households in a number of aspects. Besides reducing unwanted and mistimed pregnancies, using contraceptives reduce chances of having unsafe abortions and the adverse effects on girls, and having longer births intervals, reduces maternal and infant mortality cases. This study therefore investigated the determinants of contraceptive utilization among the youths between the ages of 15-24 in Gulu municipality.
Methodology of study:
This was a cross sectional study that employed a combination of qualitative and quantitative techniques of data collection. Multi-stage random sampling was under taken to select the sample size of the youths who were between 15- 24 years staying within Gulu Municipality
Results:
A total of 214 (55.9%) of youths admitted to being sexually active. however, 43.7of the sexually active youths reported use of any form of contraceptives. The main reasons for non use of contraceptive included fears of side effects, costs, health facilities not youth friendly, no remedy for side effects, distance to health centers and attitudes of health workers. Age χ2=45.451, p=0.001, , marital status p-0.001, χ2 23.380, education level p-0.001, χ210.750, having sexual partners p=0.001, χ2 71.780 and knowing source of contraceptives p=0.001; χ2 16.968 were some of the factors found to be associated with use of contraceptives.
Conclusion:
Less than half 4 in 10 of youths report use of contraceptive in Gulu municipality. The main reasons for non use include fears of side effects costs and distance to health facility and health facilities not being friendly. are Youths believe in privacy at health facility, peer involvement at service points, parental and social supports, and contraceptives at low costs will improve access by the youths. However, the current gaps which need to be bridged are: awareness about contraceptives, availability contraceptives alternatives, youth friendly facilities, remedy for side effects.