An exploration of the factors affecting the utilization of family planning services among youth (18-24 years) at community level in rural Budaka district, Uganda

• Main Authors: Kiggundu George (Author), Mathew Nyashanu (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: International Journal of Sexual and Reproductive Health Care - Peertechz Publications, 2020-03-10.
• Subjects: Research Article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

<p>Objective: This is was qualitative descriptive study exploring the factors that affect the utilisation of family planning services among youth 18-24years in rural Budaka district in Uganda. This article explores the factors affecting the utilization of family planning services among youth (18-24years) at community level in rural Budaka district, Uganda.</p><p>Methods: A purposive sampling method was used to select a sample of 26 participants for the study i.e. 6 female contraceptive user and 4 female non-user, 6 male contraceptive user and 6 non-user aged 18-24years respectively. Four focus group discussion were conducted respectively and these were gender specific to ensure are more open discussion among participants. Four key informant interviews were conducted with service providers at IKI IKI health centre three i.e. 3 midwife and 1 village health worker. </p><p>Results: The finding from this study show that many of the participants who do not use was because of their religious and cultural belief which promote multiplication and replenish the earth and social stigma associated with no bearing children. Female youth also pointed out that their partners posed as a barrier to using contraceptive method. Findings from this study show that non-users of contraceptives was because of the side effects associated with some methods such as Depo-Provera injection and pills which cause excusive bleeding, interferes with menstrual cycle, barrenness, loss of libido, disfigured babies and fears of developing cancers. Provider's biases when providing contraceptives to youth and stock out of family planning commodities were some of the issues raised that hinder family planning uptake by youth. On the other hand, the findings from this study indicate that majority of the youth who use contraceptive, did so to prevent unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDs, to remain in school and finish their education and to space the birth of their children due to financial reasons</p><p>Conclusion: This study revealed that a number of youth not using family planning methods were influenced by their societal culture norms associated with having many children, fears of side effects of using contraceptives, religious beliefs, provider's attitude towards dispensing contraceptives to young people especially those not married and stock out of family planning methods. Many of the youth in this study, both the users and non-users knew what contraceptives was and where to find it. Consequently, to improve the utilisation of family planning services, providers must be trained on how to serve young people; regular stocking of a variety of contraceptives and distribution of contraceptives must be accompanied with adequate information. In addition, it is vital to organise awareness and educational campaigns of contraceptives by highlighting there advantages as this will dispel the misinformation and increase the access and use of contraceptive services. </p>