Assessment of factors associated with the choice of contraceptive among women

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to assess the factors associated with the choice of contraceptive among women in Uganda. The study also had five specific objectives and five research hypotheses that were all used to achieve the study purpose. Only secondary sources of data were used in this study and the data that was used in this particular case was the Uganda Demographic Household Survey (UDHS) of 2016/17. The study included the households in different regions of the Republic of Uganda and a sample was selected from this population using simple random sampling. The different regions that were covered in this study included Eastern, Western, Central, Northern and West Nile. A sample of 500 respondents was selected using a probability sampling method called simple random sampling. Statistical analysis was performed using the STATA 13.0 software. Descriptive analysis was performed as well. Data was expressed as absolute numbers and percentages, and mean and standard deviations (SD). Comparisons between the groups were made using Chi-square (χ2) test and a P value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The results of the study revealed that the majority of the respondents who took part in this study were females and the average age of the individuals who took part in this study was 35.49 years. Results from the study further revealed that most of the respondents had acquired primary education as the highest level of education. Chi-square results further revealed that there is a significant relationship between the highest level of education of women and choice of contraceptive at 95% significance level. Results about the highest level of education of women also showed that from the respondents that have had no formal education; 8 use condoms, 14 use pills and 12 use injector plans. From those that had acquired primary education; 30 use condoms, 43 use pills and 170 use injector plans. Additionally, from those that had acquired secondary education; 12 use condoms, 100 use pills and 40 use injector plans. Furthermore, Variance of Analysis (ANOVA) results also showed that the there is a significant relationship between a woman’s age, a woman’s sample weight and choice of contraceptive at 5 percent level of significance since the p-value is less than 0.05. There therefore recommends that there should be improved communication with married men. The family planning providers interviewed believe that men know little about family planning methods and that most oppose the use of contraception.