METHODOLOGY

METHODOLOGY:

3.1 Introduction.

This chapter presents the procedures which were used in conducting the study and includes the study site, research design, study population, sampling procedures and sample size, data collection methods, data processing and analysis ethical considerations. The study was carried out in Kitumba east division fort portalmunicipality Kabarole District. The district has an approximate population of 415,600 in 2012 (National census 2012).  The estimated numbers of females are 20,942 in the Division (Globe feed 2014). They are 3 health facilities that offer family planning services in East Division. In addition also Fort portal Regional referral hospital in Fort portal.

3.2 Research design

A research design is the set of methods and procedures used in collecting and analyzing measures of the variables specified in the problem research. This research design was advantageous because it would be used to prove and/or disprove assumptions, not costly to perform and does not require a lot of time yet it captures a specific point in time (Kothari, 2004).The researcher used interview guide method which were preferred because many of the respondents would be covered by use of  interview guides so that they can describe their feelings, beliefs and attitudes regarding the implementation, access and utilization of family planning methods among illiterate women

Qualitative data was collected so as to capture views and opinions of respondents with regard to whether illiterate women had access and were able to use the family planning methods available in health centers. The use of qualitative methods was recommended by Amin (2005) as an important form of triangulation in a study that involves a small number of people.

3.3 Target population.

Target population is the number of members of a group that a researcher is interested in studying.

The target population for the study was targeting non literate women of reproductive age, social workers and health workers who reside in Kitumba Division Kabarole District. Women were selected because the researcher was targeting them to know how they access and utilization family planning services in their area. And also social workers and health workers were selected togive out the detailed information on the social and health factors which are affecting women in the access and utilization of family planning servicers in kitumba respectively. The division has a population of about 50000 women both literate and illiterate who were potential users of family planning services and therefore non literates were well positioned to provide the required information to answer the questions which were posed in this research.

3.4 Sample size and sampling procedures.

A sample is a subset of the population that comprises members selected from the population (Livingston, 2016).

Sampling is the selection of a subset of individuals from within a statistical population to estimate characteristics of the whole population

Sample size is the act of choosing the number of observations or replicates to include in a statistical sample.

Sekaran, (2003) identified that, sampling is the process of choosing the research units of the target population, which are to be included in the study. Therefore, using Krecie & Morgan (1970) table of determining sample size, the researcher selected a sample size of 23 respondents who were selected from the population of 23. These comprised of 20 women of child bearing age who reside in Kitumba Division Kabarole District, 1 social worker and 2 health workers working in the nearby health centers. Non literate women were selected because they are the ones most affected by the fact that delivery of FP services requires some level of education where all instruction is written in English which non literate women can’t understand. Health workers were chosen because they are the ones who are tasked to offer FP services while interact with all these women at a basic level. This makes them the right people to offer a valid opinion towards the uptake of family planning services my non literate women

Table 3. 1Sample size description

Source of data was from both primary and secondary sources.

3.5 Sampling techniques.These are methods used in drawing samples from a population usually in such a manner that the sample will facilitate determination of some hypothesis concerning, (Livingston, 2016).

The study employed both simple random sampling and purposive sampling.

Simple random sampling. This is a subset of a statistical population in which each member of the subset has an equal probability of being chosen, (Livingston, 2016). This was used to select non literate women of reproductive age who are residing in kitumba about how they access and utilize family planning services from healthy centers around them. Therefore this helped them to give out th factors that influece the utilization of family planning, the source of information, and the methods of family planning they are using, which hinded them in the access and utilization of the family planning services. This helped the researcher to select her sample without bias (Livingston, 2016). This helped the researcher to acquire the necessary sample size without bias.

A purposive sample is a non-probability sample that is selected based on characteristics of a population and the objective of the study (Barratt, 2015).  Purposive sampling was used to sample both social and health workers operating in Kitumba Division Kabarole District.This was used to select the community development officer and the chief midwives who work at the health centers who helped in getting the required information for the researcher. The health workers were interviewed because the researcher wanted to know the health issues among women that hinder them to utilize the services. Also the social work was considered to give out the social factors in the community that hinder them in access and utilization of family planning services in kitumba. This helped the researcher to select respondents with information vital to this research study.

3.4.1 Primary data.

This is the data that is observed or collected directly from first-hand experience. Published data and the data collected in the past or other parties is called secondary data

Primary data was obtained through the use of an interview guide administered on the target respondents to gain views and opinions onaccess and utilization of family planning services amongst non-literate women in reproductive agein Kitumba Division Kabarole District. This helped the researcher to get the required information that was necessary for her study because respondents would give what they are feeling and heard from friends on the myths and misconception on the modern use of family planning methods.

3.4.2 Secondary sources

According to (Bell, 1997), Secondary data refers to data which is collected by someone who is someone other than the user

Secondary data is data which was collected by individuals or agencies for purposes other than those of a particular research study. It is data developed for some purpose other than for helping to solve the research problem at hand (Bell, 1997). This comprised of literature related to access and utilization of family planning services amongst non-literate women in reproductive age in relation to the case study. Secondary data was sourced because it yielded more accurate information than obtained through primary data, and it was also cheaper.

METHODOLOGY

3.6 Data collection methods.

Data quality refers to the state of qualitative or quantitative pieces of information, Palinkas, (2015). There are many definitions of data quality but data is generally considered high quality if it is “fit for intended uses in operations, decision making and planning”. Moreover, data is deemed of high quality if it correctly represents the real-world construct to which it refers

According to Palinkas, (2015), data collection methods are techniques used by the researcher to collect data from the field.

3.6.1 Interviews.

According to Creswell, (2017), Interviews aredefined as a qualitative research technique which involves “conducting intensive individual interviews with a small number of respondents to explore their perspectives on a particular idea, program or situation.In this study the researcher used only interview method of data collection because the researcher had a few number of respondents who could be covered by one method of data collection. The interview question guides were designed in order to get information on access and utilization of family planning services among non literate women of reproductive age. Women (20) were interviewed because they are mostly affected in the access and utilization.The study soughtknowledge from health workers and a social worker aboutfactors influencing the access and utilization of family planning methods among non-literate women of reproductive age. This allowedthem to provide their professional information which was related to that acquired from the women.

3.6 Data quality, validity and reliability

 3.6.1 Data quality control

The instrument was taken to the supervisor to check its correctness there after pretesting was carried out to find out if it measures what it is meant to for.

3.6.2 Validity

Data Validity according to (Straus, 2017), refers to the accuracy of an assessment whether or not it measures what it is supposed to measure. Even if a test is reliable, it may not provide a valid measure. According to Amin (2005), face, content and construct tests can be done to determine the validity of the instrument. In this study, content and face validity of the interview guides was ensured for pre-testing the instrument and consultation with the supervisor; and by use of professionals/experts who were given the instrument to assess the concept and rate it by trying to measure and determine whether the set items accurately represent the concept under study.

3.6.3   Reliability

Reliability of an instrument is the consistency of an instrument in measuring what it is intended to measure (Amin, 2005). In order to ensure that the instrument is capable of supplying consistent results, its reliability was checked using the internal consistency method. This was determinedby the internal correlation between scores on items within the instrument by pretesting them on a sample of2 respondents after which some of the questions in the interview guidewere rephrased and others removed while putting new ones

3.7 Data collection procedures

Upon receiving an introduction letter from Kyambogo University, the researcher visited the study area for familiarization and to meet the local authorities. She sought permission from the local authorities who were LC1, District health Officer, and In charge nurse at Kataraka health center iv to conduct the study. Thereafter, the next day, the researcher conducted home visits and health centers in the selected villages. After explaining the purpose of the study and requesting their participation, the respondents were interviewed individually and for each question the researcher filled the interview sheet immediately after gaining the answers from participants. A house with more than one woman meeting the criteria, one was considered because they share the living conditions. A house with a woman who was not eligible or not accepting to participate was replaced by the next. This helped the researcher to get the required information in time and respondents were willing to respond regarding the circumstances around them.

3.8 Data analysis and Presentation.

According to Silverman, (2018) Data Analysis is the process of systematically applying statistical and/or logical techniques to describe and illustrate, condense and recap, and evaluate data. In this study Qualitative data collected from interviews conducted with all other categories of respondents was analyzed manually by making summaries of the views of the respondents into different themes to answer the research questions.

METHODOLOGY

3.9 Ethical consideration

According to Roberts, (2015), Ethics are the norms or standards for conduct that distinguish between right and wrong. Ethical considerations in research are critical. They help to determine the difference between acceptable and unacceptable behaviors. The researcher got permission and recommendation from the University authorities. The researcher promised respondents confidentiality about the information they provided. For quality control purposes, the researcher proof read raw data to eliminate misinterpretation and duplication.

Ethical approval for the study was obtained from local authorities who were LC1and In charge at  health center iv to conduct the study &Ethics Committee. Informed consent was sought from subjects involved in the data collection. Further, confidentiality of collected information was insured by clients not providing names or any other identifiers. Respondents were made comfortable and protected from any form of harm during the course of data collection.