Research consultancy
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
The chapter focuses on methodology which includes the study design, study setting, study population, sample size determination, sampling procedure, inclusion criteria, definition of variables, research instruments, data collection procedure, data management, data analysis, ethical consideration, dissemination of results and limitation of the study,.
3.2 Study Design and rationale
The study design is a cross sectional and descriptive, employing both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. This design is selected because it will assist in easy getting the required data for the study.
3.3 Study setting and rationale
Azur Christian health centre IV is among four health centre IVs and as one of the referral health units Kahoora division Hoima Municipality with a population of 2400 people targeted for family planning services and it is located in Hoima district about 3 kilometers away southwards of Hoima Municipality within Hoima town and it boarders Masindi, Kibale, Bulisa, and Kyankyanzi districts. Azur Christian health centre IV offers the following services to its clients: HAART services; ANC, PNC, OPD, Nutrition, Deliveries, Immunization services, Family Planning, cervical cancer screening, radiography services and many others to mention but a few. The study area is selected because of the convenience of this area and it is near the residence of the researcher
3.4 Study Population
The study population will include the women of child bearing age and possibly those who are HIV positive and get services in Azur health centre IV in Hoima district.
3.4.1 Sample Size Determination
The study will consists of a sample size of 30 respondents who will be found in Azur health centre IV
3.4.2 Sampling procedure
The researcher will use simple random sampling procedure to get the required respondents for the study. In this procedure, the researcher simply will write two words on paper YES and NO scrambled them up and throw them on the ground then will tell the respondents to pick one per person and this will enable the researcher select all the respondents who will voluntarily consent to participate and will be included in the study without a bias. This will continue until a total of 30 respondents are obtained.
3.4.3 Inclusion criteria
The study will include mothers attending services at the Azur Christian Health Center IV Hoima district who will be available at the parish during data collection, and are free and willing to voluntarily consent to participate in the study.
3.5 Definition of Variables
The independent variables for the study included:
Socioeconomic factors influencing the use of family planning methods among HIV positive mothers
Knowledge of HIV positive mother on the use of family planning methods
Individual related factors influencing the use of family planning methods among HIV positive mothers
The dependent variables for the study included:
Utilization of Family Planning services among HIV positive mothers
3.6 Research Instrument
The researcher will collect data using a structured questionnaire which will be developed and pre-tested for the study. It will have both closed and open-ended questions written in English. The researcher will also be available to translate the questionnaire into the most commonly spoken local languages like Runyoro,Rugungu and Aluru and this will aid efficiency of data collection.
3.7 Data Collection Procedure
The researcher will administer the questionnaires to respondents from their various wards or departments where they are being provided services. This will be done to increase efficiency and privacy during data collection.
3.7.1 Data analysis and presentation
The study data will first be analyzed manually for completion of questioner edited and after will be transferred to Microsoft Excel 2010 for the graphical presentation of results and will be presented in figures and tables.
3.8 Ethical Consideration
A letter of introduction will be obtained from Public Health Nurses College, introducing the researcher to the administration of Azur health centre IV seeking permission to carry out the study. After permission is granted, the health centre administrator will introduce the researcher to the in charge who then will introduce the researcher to the respondents. The study will only commence after the objectives of the study have been clearly and well explained to participants and they have understood and voluntarily consent to participate in the study. Respondents will be assured of maximum confidentiality of all the information they give and numbers will be used instead of respondents’ names.
3.9 Limitations of the study
The researcher anticipates encountering financial constraints in gathering information from the internet and libraries as well as printing and transport costs. The researcher will overcome this limitation by drawing up a budget which will strictly be followed to utilize the available means.
The researcher contemplates encountering time constraints in the course of the study, balancing the research study and other demanding course works. The researcher will overcome these limitations by considering only priorities.
The researcher expects some clients to fear being interviewed; hence he will use confidential approach by interviewing the respondents in a quiet and private environment to gain their confidence in the study.
3.10 Dissemination of results
The results will be forwarded to the following bodies:
Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examinations Board (UNMEB),
Kyambogo Public Health Nurses’ College
The District Chief Administrative Officer Hoima district and the administrator of Azur health centre IV
The research will have a copy for further references.
