Determinants of modern contraceptive use among women of reproductive age in westnile- Uganda

Abstract

The West Nile has the largest percentage (43.2%) of the unmet need for family planning among all the regions in Uganda and only 29.2 percent of the total demand for modern family planning methods is satisfied (UBOS 2017). Access to modern contraceptive services has been found to avert unintended pregnancy, reduce maternal and child mortality. However, use of modern methods remains low. The major objective of this study was to assess the factors associated with the use of modern contraceptives among women of reproductive age in West Nile region in Uganda. Secondary sources of data were used in this study and the Uganda Demographic Household Survey (UDHS) data of 2016 was used in this particular case. Statistical analysis was performed using the STATA software at univariate, bivariate and multivariate levels. Data was expressed as absolute numbers and percentages. Comparisons between the groups were made using Chi-square (χ2) test and a P value of less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. Chi-square results at bivariate level of analysis show that factors that included age, education, wealth index, marital status and occupation were all statistically significantly associated with modern contraceptive use since the p-values are less than 0.05. Based on the findings, there is need for increased access and subsidization of family planning services among the poor women of reproductive age in West Nile since the poor women were significantly associated with high odds (1.488) of not using contraceptives compared to women who were not poor.