COMMUNITY ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS THE USE OF CONTRACEPTIVES AMONG WOMEN IN NAJA SUB COUNTY, BUIKWE DISTRICT
Chapter One: Background to the Study
The widespread adoption of contraceptives represents one of the most significant changes of the 20th century. The growing global use of contraception has empowered couples to choose the number and spacing of their children and has yielded tremendous life-saving benefits. Despite these impressive gains, contraceptive use remains low, and the need for contraception remains high in some of the world’s poorest and most populous regions (Smith et al., 2009).
In the United States, contraceptive use is nearly universal among women of reproductive age: 98% of women who have ever had intercourse have used at least one contraceptive method. As of 2002, 90% had ever had a partner who used the male condom, 82% had ever used the oral contraceptive pill, and 56% had ever had a partner who used withdrawal (Mosher et al., 2002).
In the developing world, a substantial gap exists between women’s stated reproductive preferences and their actual use of contraception. Community attitudes and perceptions among women are examined by considering women’s knowledge about family planning, whether they have ever discussed family planning with their husbands, and the approval of family planning by both women and their husbands (Korra, 2000).
In Uganda, an estimated 1.2 million unintended pregnancies occurred in 2008, representing more than half of the country’s 2.2 million total pregnancies (Summers, 2013). The risk of pregnancy increases with a widening gap between sexual debut and age at first marriage. In Uganda, nearly two-thirds (64%) of women aged 25–49 years reported early sexual debut before the age of 18 (UBOS, 2011).
Overall, the use of contraceptives is not openly discussed among women due to strong cultural and religious beliefs, which exposes women to an increased risk of unwanted or unintended pregnancies. In many traditional African cultural settings, pregnancy before marriage is often viewed as an abomination. Consequently, many unmarried women who experience unintended pregnancies seek abortion services for fear of societal judgment. Abortion being illegal in Uganda increases the risk of maternal deaths because it is typically unsafe and sometimes performed by traditional herbalists.
Studies have shown that contraceptive use among women is strongly influenced by a woman’s education level. Other contributing factors include urban versus rural residence, women’s work status, women’s status relative to men, religion, culture and taboos, household standard of living (or economic status), exposure to mass media, and community development (Das, 2001). This study is motivated by ongoing reports of frequent unintended pregnancies among women seeking services at health centers in Naja Sub County. Therefore, the study will assess community attitudes and perceptions towards the use of contraceptives among women in Naja Sub County.
Problem Statement
Different communities perceive contraceptives differently and hold various attitudes towards them, leading to differences in contraceptive prevalence rates due to multiple factors. Naja Sub County has a low contraceptive prevalence rate, and little is known about the factors contributing to the low utilization of contraceptive methods, particularly among women. Hence, this study aims to close this gap by assessing community attitudes and perceptions towards the use of contraceptives among women in Naja Sub County, Buikwe District.
Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of this study is to assess community attitudes and perceptions towards the use of contraceptives among women in Naja Sub County, Buikwe District.
Specific Objectives of the Study
To assess community knowledge about contraceptives in Naja Sub County.
To learn about community attitudes toward spacing and limiting of childbearing and toward contraceptives in Naja Sub County.
To identify factors that influence the use of contraceptive methods among women in Naja Sub County.
Research Questions
Does the community have knowledge about contraceptives in Naja Sub County?
What are the community’s attitudes and perceptions toward spacing and limiting of childbearing and toward contraceptives in Naja Sub County?
What factors influence the use of contraceptive methods among women in Naja Sub County?
Scope of the Study
The study aims to assess community attitudes and perceptions towards the use of contraceptives among women. It will be conducted in Naja Sub County, Buikwe District, over a period of four months, from February to May 2016.
Significance of the Study
The study findings may help in developing new approaches to increase the use of contraceptive methods among women.
The research will help generate ideas for reducing women’s negative perceptions and attitudes towards contraceptive use.
The recommendations made by this study may contribute to improving the effective use of contraceptives and family planning services, thereby helping to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by reducing maternal and child mortality.
