Level of Utilisation and Associated Factors on Family Planning Among Females 15 – 19 Years at Kamuli General Hospital and Namwenda Hc IV, Kamuli District

Abstract

This study was to establish the Level of utilization, and factors associated with family planning use among females 15–19 years at Kamuli general hospital and Namwenda HC IV, Kamuli district. The study specifically sought to determine the level of utilization of family planning services among females 15–19 years at Kamuli general hospital and Namwenda HC IV in Kamuli district and to identify the factors associated with the level of utilization of family planning services among females 15–19 years at Kamuli general hospital and Namwenda HC IV in Kamuli district. This study used both qualitative and quantitative methodologies in a descriptive cross-sectional design. The study involved 147 females aged 15-19 years. Data was collected using a questionnaire and key informant interview guide. The data was then analyzed at univariate, bivariate, and multivariate levels using SPSS version 20. Qualitative data was analyzed using Open Code software. Most (52.4%) of the respondents were aged between 18 and 19, with a mean age of 18.3 (SD=1.2). At the bivariate level of analysis, age (χ2=9.77,df =3, P-value=0.001), educational level (χ 2 =17.16, df =1, P-value=0.002), and marital status (χ 2=19.06, df =2, P-value=0.001),achievement of a number of desired children, (χ 2=13.66, df =1, P-value=0.001), knowledge about family planning method, (χ 2 =9.13, df =1, P-value=0.002), religious support for family planning (χ 2 =14.70, df =1, P-value=0.001), and attitude of the community towards family planning (χ 2=17.71, df =1, P-value=0.001), distance to the facility (χ 2=21.06, df =2, P-value=0.000), and knowledge of the availability of family planning at the facility (χ 2=19.44, df =1, P-value=0.000) were found to significantly influence the uptake of family planning. P-value <0.05. At multivariate level of analysis age (AOR=2.7; 95% CI: 0.65-1.99; p= 0.001), educational level (AOR=6.1; 95% CI: 1.11- 4.76; p= 0.000), religious support for FP (AOR=3.3; 95% CI: 0.06-2.75; p= 0.003) and distance to the health facility (AOR=5.1; 95% CI: 0.44-1.89; p= 0.001) were found to significantly influence the utilization of family planning. The study established that the prevalence of contraceptive use stood at (26.5%); this is low compared to the national prevalence target of 39.6% by 2025. Mass sensitization by the district health office, promotion of girl child education, the District health Officer should intentionally partner with faith, cultural leaders to meaningfully engage adolescents in marriage on use of family planning and educating the adolescents on use of family planning. The healthcare services providers of Kamuli General Hospital and Namwenda HCIV are advised to adopt a nonjudgmental approach, to enhance physical accessibility and to train nurses and other healthcare professionals on reproductive health needs of adolescents.