Ever Use of Modern Contraceptive among Adolescents in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Sociodemographic Factors

Abstract

Background: Six in ten sexually active adolescent women in Uganda have an unmet need for contraception yet there is limited data on what is driving its use. This study aimed to determine the associations between sociodemographic factors and modern contraceptive ever-use among adolescents in Uganda. Methods: A crossectional study was conducted among 337 adolescents aged 13 -19 years who had ever had sex in Wakiso (urban) and Kamuli (rural) districts in Uganda. The outcome of interest was the ever-use of modern contraceptives. Generalized linear models with a Poisson link were used to examine the associations between sociodemographic factors and contraceptive ever use. Results: The weighted prevalence of ever-use of modern contraceptives was 30.9%. Contraceptive ever use was more likely among the older adolescents (adjusted Odds Ratio) aOR 1.31 (95% CI = 1.06 -1.55), married aOR 1.67 (95% CI = 1.09 -2.58) and the less educated were aOR 1.79 (95% CI = 1.14 -2.83) compared to their counterparts. Adolescents living in the urban district (Wakiso) aOR 0.67 (95% CI = 0.49 -0.92) were less likely to use modern contraceptives. In stratified analysis, the urban poor were more likely to use modern contraceptives (moderate aPR 0.35 95%CI (0.17 -0.68) ** or high socioeconomic status aPR 0.62, 95%CI (0.28 -1.37). Conclusions:The study shows low contraceptive ever-use among adolescents. Adolescents with low education and those from rural settings were more likely to ever-use modern contraceptives. Having good knowledge of contraception and discussing sex with parents promoted contraceptives ever-use. We recommend further studies assessing barriers to contraceptive use among adolescents in Uganda.

Knowledge of, and factors associated with current use of modern contraceptives among young people 10 - 24years in central and western Uganda: A cross-sectional study

“…Our study further found current use modern contraceptive to be 58.5% among the young people which was higher than that previously reported among adolescents in Uganda at 30.9% (27). The higher prevalence of modern contraceptive use in this study is likely due to increased knowledge (28).…”

Understanding Multifaceted Determinants of Contraceptive Utilization among Adolescent Females: Insights from Wakiso District, Uganda

“…Additionally, only 7% of them used family planning within the first six months after giving birth [1,9]. Use of family planning services is seen as entirely female's duty in much of the world, although it is a dual commitment Men are mostly forgotten by health clients, particularly in case of family planning services ( [1,10]. Globally according to WHO Report [11], annually, over 9 million teenage adolescents give birth as results of unmet needs of their reproductive plans and this is a worrisome concern for the policy makers, demographers, health specialists, social scientists as well as the public.…”