Acceptability of IUD Use for Family Planning by Spouses of Men in an Urban Setting in Uganda :

Abstract

Introduction: IUCD is one of the many FP methods used by women. Its includes advantages such as it having no side-effects on the body and once inserted one no longer is required to use other contraceptive methods. Though there is low uptake, IUCD is a very important component of FP because it is known to be very effective in that only two of every a hundred women using IUCD will become pregnant over five years of use and thus the study was conducted to determine if men's acceptability, knowledge and attitude towards IUCD use by their spouses affects its low utilization and if so, devise means of increasing its uptake by their spouses. Main objective: The main objective of the study is to determine acceptability by men on the use of an IUD for family planning by their spouses in Luzira Parish Kampala. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was used and it involved data collection from a sampled population of 142 men of reproductive age group (18 to 50 years) which was collected at a defined time. It encompassed the use of survey techniques particularly the use of standardized pre-coded interview administered questionnaires to gather data. Results: Out of 142 men interviewed, the majority (64.78%) were between the ages of 18 to 27 years. Majority of them (48.59%) were currently married/cohabiting and most (42.25%) had at least studied ordinary level. 90.84% of men reported to have ever heard of FP methods and only 19.0% of them knew IUD. 66.9% have spouses that have ever used FP but only 6.33% used IUD. 90.84% reported their spouses to be currently using FP but only 3.52% are using IUD. 76.06% said they would not allow their spouses to use IUD and 53.52% had various reasons as to why they would not, majorly religion, cultural beliefs among others. Conclusion: Despite the fact that 90% of the respondents have ever heard of family planning methods, only 19% knew about IUD, 6% reported their spouses having ever used IUD and only 3% of the respondents had spouses currently using Intrauterine Devices. 76% of men said they would not allow their spouses to use IUD due to various reasons some of which included 28% saying IUD caused side effects, their various religions and cultures not accepting its use and other reasons such as it damages the uterus, causes cancer, not commonly used, expensive especially in the private sector and many more reasons as sited in chapter 4 section 4.9. Therefore IUD acceptability by men to be used by their spouses is very low in Luzira a suburb of Kampala.