| dc.description.abstract | Introduction: Post partum intrauterine devices is one of the family planning method and it can be the best option to address the problem of unmet need for family planning in the first six months post delivery (RDHS 2010). With the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme, family planning services in Rwanda were made accessible to all, with good service coverage across the entire country. Among the many family planning services is the most recent
method, the Post Partum Intra-Uterine Contraceptive Device (PPIUCD) method which was introduced in the country in 2010. With this method, an intrauterine device is inserted into the uterus immediately following the expulsion of the placenta or within 48 hours after delivery. It is a good choice for postpartum women who are breastfeeding as well as those who are not
breastfeeding. However, its uptake seems to very low as it is estimated at 0.2%.
Methodology: The study was carried out among 419 peurperal mothers at Muhima District hospital. A cross-sectional descriptive study was used to obtain quantitative data. Study units were selected using systematic sampling method. Data were collected on mother’s social demographics factors, health service-related factors and socio-cultural factors towards uptake of post partum intrauterine contraceptive devices.
Results: The uptake of PPIUCDs among the study population was found to be low at 15% among mothers. The reasons reported for using PPIUCDs among women included; limited side- effects, family planning use, convenience and
effectiveness while those who did not use reported need for more children, fear of side-effects and lack of awareness. Socio-economic factors such as level of education, religion, income levels and number of children were found to have a statistically significant association (p<0.05) with the uptake of PPIUCDs.Health facility factors such as affordability and accessibility were also found to have a significant association with the uptake of PPIUCDs. Socio-cultural norms which encourage women to have many children also hindered women to take up the use of PPIUCDs.
Conclusions: The level of uptake of PPIUCDs was low due to many factors. The factors were socio-demographic such as age, education, level of income, occupation. Socio-cultural factors were cultural values, tradition beliefs, decision making regarding family planning matters. Then health facility factors including availability of the method, health work attitude and distance to
the service. To improve the uptake of PPIUCDs among mothers, all stake holders concerned with family planning including husbands/spouses, health policy makers, mothers and the government need to mitigate and promote the challenges and facilitating factors respectively so to encourage mothers to take up the use of PPIUCDs. | en_US |
