Factors Influencing Family Planning Utilization among Mothers in Postpatum Period Attending Kawolo Hospital Buikwe district Uganda.

Abstract

Background. Post-partum family planning has been recognized as a key lifesaving intervention for mothers and their children as it has been estimated It can avert more than 30% of maternal deaths and 10% of child mortality if couples or individuals spaced their pregnancies more than two years apart (WHO, 2012). Despite of this, there is still low utilization of postpartum family planning services and little knowledge is known as to why postpartum women do not want to utilize these services. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the factors influencing utilization of postpartum family planning services by mothers attending Kawolo hospital. Objective. The main study objective was to determine the factors influencing utilization of postpartum family planning services by mothers attending Kawolo hospital, Buikwe district Uganda. Methodology. The study followed quantitative and qualitative research methods using a cross-sectional study design. The target population comprised of women in postpartum period attending Kawolo hospital for PNC and immunization services. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 Microsoft excel and qualitative data from FGD was analyzed manually. Results. Findings from the study revealed that majority 328(82%) of the post partum mothers were not utilizing FP services a cause that called for the study.