FAMILY PLANNING UPTAKE AMONG FEMALE SEX WORKERS IN KAWEMPE DIVISION KAMPALA

Abstract

Introduction The study aimed to investigate the factors associated with Family Planning uptake among Female Sex Workers of reproductive age (15-49 years) in Kawempe division. The study objectives were; 1)to assess the proportion of FSW utilizing Family Planning in Kawempe Division, 2) to determine factors affecting utilization of Family Planning among commercial sex workers in Kawempe Division, and 3) to explore barriers to utilization of Family Planning among female commercial sex workers in Kawempe Division. Method The study adopted a descriptive and correlational research design with both qualitative and quantitative data collection method. A total of 334 commercial female sex workers were randomly selected from the community. Data was collected using a pretested questionnaire, and administered by the research assistant that were trained to conduct this survey. Qualitative data was collected from 5 key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using logistic regression to establish factors affecting uptake of Family Planning. Results The findings indicated that out of 332 respondents, 251 (75.6%) of them reported that they were currently using family planning, majority 120(47.8%) reported using condom, followed by 91(36.2%) of the respondents who reported using injecta plan The multivariate logistic regression analysis reveals , age(AOR=4.6; 95% CI: 1.22- 7.12; p= 0.000),, marital status (AOR=0.8; 95% CI: 1.44- 8.09; p= 0.002), educational level(AOR=4.6; 95% CI: 0.01- 8.67; p= 0.001),, distance to the facility(AOR=6.2; 95% CI: 1.73- 9.85; p= 0.002), reasons for not using family planning(AOR=0.8; 95% CI: 1.80- 4.43; p= 0.000),and waiting time at the facility(AOR=5.2; 95% CI: 2.06- 9.88; p= 0.000), independently influenced the uptake of family planning among female sex workers. P-value <0.05 The barrier to family planning among were fear of health risks like cancer, stigmatization from health professionals, lack of knowledge about service locations, time constraints, and financial issues among others Conclusion This study established that the uptake of family planning among female sex workers stood at 75.6%. This below the target considering the fact that it is expected that 100% of female sexworkers should be on some family planning method. Female sex workers experience exclusion in utilizing reproductive healthcare services. As such, healthcare services are advised to adopt a nonjudgmental approach, to enhance physical accessibility and to train nurses and other healthcare professionals on reproductive health needs of female sex workers.