Factors Contributing to Under Utilization of Modern Contraceptive Methods Among Women of Reproductive Age (15- 49 Years) Attending Antenatal Clinic at Ishaka Adventist Hospital, Bushenyi Dist

ABSTRACT Globally and locally in Uganda family planning is promoted to enable individuals and couples to space and limit birth. Family planning promotion is based on demographics and health concerns and basic human rights. Clients can use either Artificial or Natural Family planning methods but none is 100% effective. This study was done to assess the factors contributing to underutilization of modern contraceptive methods among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) attending antenatal clinic at Ishaka Adventist Hospital. The study also assessed the knowledge and attitudes towards modern family planning, and finally the cultural & religious factors. It was a cross-sectional descriptive study that employed both quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative methods included use of predesigned structured questionnaires. A sample size of 100 respondents was considered for the study. Simple random sampling method was used to collect data. The raw data was tallied and grouped in form of frequency, percentages, tables, pie charts and bar graphs. 78% of the respondents were in the range of 15-25 years and 16% were in the range of 25-35 years. Most of the respondents (55%) were small scale farmers, 44% of the respondents were Catholics and 41% were Protestants. It was found out that 97% of the respondents knew about modern family planning methods and most of them heard from the health workers (34%) and the radio (33%). The best known methods were pills( 34.1%) and injectable(30.3%), however only 47.5% had used modern family planning methods, but majority said family planning was good( 95%) and promised to use it in future. The study also showed that males, culture and religion especially Catholics and Muslims did not approve the use of family planning methods. Therefore for the respondents to continue using modern family planning methods, the Ministry of Health through health care providers (HCP) and Ministry of education should continue to educate the population on the advantages of family planning. Sensitization of males to participate in reproductive issues, and since reproductive health has no religious boundaries, the religious fundamentalists, like Catholics who do not support the use artificial contraceptives, should be taught and encouraged to use natural family methods methods.