Factors affecting the use of family planning methods among women in Uganda: a case study of Kalungu District, Bukulula Parish

Abstract

This research project intended to assess the factors affecting the use of Family Planning services among women in Uganda, case study of Kalungu district, Bukulula parish. It was carried out as a step by step project until it was successfully completed. The research findings were based on a sample size of 150 which was determined using Cochran’s formula at 5% level of precision and research A well-structured questionnaire using KOBO Collect was used to obtain the information of the required samples and some face to face interviews were conducted with a guide of a well-designed Open Data Kit containing all the predetermined questions. The collected data was analysed using STATA and inference was made from this analysis. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate levels of analysis were done.

It was observed that the factors which significantly affected the use of family planning services among women at 5% significance level is their monthly incomes, number of children and the distance from health centres in Kilometres. From the results, it showed that Anglicans use Family Planning services more by 1.197634 than those Catholics. On average, an increase in the distance from the health centres by one kilometre decreased the predicted probability of using Family Planning services by 0.06513 amongst the women. (Coefficient = -0.06513, p-value = 0.006). Furthermore, on average an increase in the number of children living by one decreases the probability of using Family Planning services by 0.16928 amongst women keeping all other factors constant (Coefficient = -016928, p- value = 0.005). On an average, an increase in the monthly income of women by one shilling increases the use of Family Planning services by 0.00000265 keeping all other factors constant. (Coefficient =0.00000265, p- value = 0.000).

Recommendations were further made basing on the research results from this study as; the government was encouraged to extend these services to nearer to people and put up more facilities to access them. Religious leaders from other denominations other than Anglicans were also encouraged to sensitize their congregation to use Family Planning services and also tell them about its importance. It was also advised that women should be sensitized on the use of Family Planning services and its importance so as to reduce the number of children born who could be a burden to some of them. The government should carry out similar studies in different parishes with larger samples to get a national picture about use of Family Planning services among women which will aid in putting up strategies to put in play the above recommendations.