A qualitative study on provider perspectives on the barriers to contraceptive use in Kaliro and Iganga districts, Eastern Central Uganda

Authors

  • Constance Sibongile Shumba Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau
  • Jonathan Miyonga Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau
  • Judith Kiconco Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau
  • Patrick Kerchan Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau
  • Tonny Tumwesigye Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15566/cjgh.v3i2.114

Keywords:

Contraceptive use, Family planning, Health providers, Faith-based facilities, Uganda

Abstract

Background: Family planning confers unique benefits including preventing unintended pregnancies, improved maternal and child health outcomes and increased women’s access to education and economic opportunities.However, Uganda has a low contraceptive prevalence rate of only 30% and progress in improving maternal and child health outcomes is therefore slow.

Objective: This assessment explored health providers’ qualitative perspectives on the uptake of contraceptives in Iganga and Kaliro districts in Eastern central Uganda.

Methods: This baseline assessment used a qualitative approach with purposively selected respondents aged 20-60 years. A total of two focus group discussions with Community Health Workers and four key informant interviews with facility-based health workers and were conducted. Thematic content analysis was done manually.

Results: The main factors influencing contraceptive uptake in these communities were preference for large families; myths and misconceptions; fear of side effects; spousal and family support; male domination and risk of violence, divorce and polygamy; inadequate human resource capacity and availability; limited community mobilization; and user fees.

Conclusion: The study findings suggest that there is low community knowledge on family planning. A strong focus is also required in building the capacities of health providers to offer long-term and permanent methods in order to increase the availability of family planning options. Family planning interventions should increase the availability of contraceptive methods using gender-sensitive strategies including community mobilization.

Author Biographies

Constance Sibongile Shumba, Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau

Research and Grants Manager

Jonathan Miyonga, Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau

Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

Judith Kiconco, Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau

Family Planning Officer

Patrick Kerchan, Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau

Head of Programmes

Tonny Tumwesigye, Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau

Executive Director

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Published

2016-11-08

How to Cite

Shumba, C. S., Miyonga, J., Kiconco, J., Kerchan, P., & Tumwesigye, T. (2016). A qualitative study on provider perspectives on the barriers to contraceptive use in Kaliro and Iganga districts, Eastern Central Uganda. Christian Journal for Global Health, 3(2), 60–71. https://doi.org/10.15566/cjgh.v3i2.114