A Cross Sectional Study of the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Utilization of Modern Contraception Among Women and Men of Namuwongo.

Abstract

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates that the world´s population will be 8 billion in 2050. This increase is attributed to the high population growth rate which is influenced by the world´s total fertility rate and contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR). UNFPA has embarked on a drive to increase CPR particularly in developing nations with a focus on modern contraceptive methods, with the hope that this will contribute to a reduction in the overall world population. Uganda´s theme for this year was ¨Uganda at 33 million; Time to Act¨. With an annual population growth rate of 3.3% and a total fertility rate of 6.1, the country needs to increase efforts towards use of modern contraception. This is because there is a high population of unproductive youth in the reproductive age group who are migrating into urban slums where health services and living conditions are inadequate. The purpose of this study was to identify the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding the use of modern contraception among the men and women of Namuwongo slum. Methodology: A cross-sectional study of 282 respondents between the age 15-49 (for the women) participated in the study. Residents who were mentally challenged, and female residents who did not lie in the age range were excluded. Standardized pre-coded and structured questionnaires were used to obtain information from the respondents. The independent variable was use of modern contraception while the dependent variables were knowledge, attitude and practices regarding modern contraceptive use. Results: 193 were females, while 89 were male. 51.1% were youth in the age range 15-24 years. 40.8% of the respondents were unemployed and 63.8% were married. 39.7% of respondents admitted to using contraception. 11.9% of those who said that they were not using contraception, however, they admitted to using condoms which implied that they did not recognize condom use as a method of contraception. This raises the CPR to 46.8%. Nonetheless, 13.5% were contemplating discontinuing use of modern FP because of side effects. The commonest methods were condoms and injections. Knowledge of methods was 78.7%. At p<0.05, knowledge, spousal communication, and final decision making was statistically significant. 60.3% of respondents were not using a modern method of contraception. Side effects constituted 52.1% of perceived obstacles to use of modern contraception. Conclusion: Knowledge of contraception was relatively high, however, CPR is low for a community that has such a high population of youth that are unemployed. The major hindrance which is side effects needs to be addressed to dispel myths surrounding modern FP use. The role of men in influencing modern FP use is important because they are the ones with limited knowledge on FP yet they take part in decision making about the matter.