TABLES OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ................................................................................ i

APPROVAL ..................................................................................... ii

DEDICATION ................................................................................ iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................... iv

TABLES OF CONTENTS .................................................................. v

APPENDICES ............................................................................... viii

LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................ ix

LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................... x

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS .............................................................. xi

ABSTRACT .................................................................................... xii

Chapter One .................................................................................. I

1.1 Background of the Study ...................................................... 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem ......................................................... 4

1.3 Purpose of the Study ................................................................ 5

1.4 Research Objectives ................................................................. 5

1.5 Research Questions ............................................................... 6

1.6 Significance of the Study .......................................................... 6

1. 7 Scope of the Study ................................................................... 7

1.8 Conceptual Framework ............................................................ 7

As a result low contraceptive use leads to unwanted pregnancies, high

risk pregnancies and short birth intervals all of which result into

dangerous matemal conditions that eventually cause matemal and child

death ..................................................................................................... 8

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK ......................................................... 9

Chapter Two ................................................................................ 10

LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................. 10

2.0 Introduction ......................................................................... 10

2.1 Knowledge about family planning and its benefits ................ 10

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2.2 Cultural beliefs and practices ............................................... 13

2.3 Rumours and Misconceptions .............................................. 15

2.4 Poor Contraceptive access .................................................... 17

Chapter Three .............................................................................. 19

METHODOLOGY .......................................................................... 19

3.0 Introduction ........................................................................... 19

3.1 Research Design .................................................................. 19

3.2 Research Population ............................................................... 19

3.3 Sample population .............................................................. 20

3.4 Sampling procedure ............................................................ 20

3.5 Research Instruments ........................................................ 21

3.5.1 Interviews ......................................................................... 21

3.5.2 Observation ......................................................................... 22

3.5.3 Questionnaire ..................................................................... 22

3.6 Data Collection procedures ..................................................... 22

3. 7 Quality Control ...................................................................... 23

3.8 Ethical Consideration ............................................................ 23

3.9 Problems Encountered ........................................................... 23

Chapter Four ............................................................................... 24

DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION ........... 24

4.0 Introduction ........................................................................... 24

4.1 Knowledge about family planning and its benefits ................... 24

4.2 Cultural beliefs and practices ................................................. 27

4.3 Rumors and misconceptions .................................................. 30

4.4. Poor contraceptive access .................................................... 32

Chapter Five ................................................................................ 35

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS, CONCLUSION AND

RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................. 35

5.1 Introduction ......................................................................... 35

5.1.1 Knowledge about family planning and its benefits ................ 35

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5. 1. 2 The Cultural beliefs and practices associated with modern

family planning ............................................................................ 37

5.1.3 The existing rumours and misconceptions about modern

family planning methods .............................................................. 40

5.1.4 The poor contraceptive accessibility ..................................... 41

5.2 Conclusion ............................................................................. 43

5.3 Recommendations .................................................................. 45

ABSTRACT

The research investigated the challenges in the utilization of modem family planning methods in Buyende district. This concept was conceived after reviewing the District Health Management Information System (HMIS) reports and noticed that the contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) of the district was consistently low for the previous three years, that is 2.5o/o, 2.8o/o and 3.5o/o for 2007/08, 2008/09/ and 2009/10 respectively. This is a regrettable prevalence rate especially if compared with the national prevalence of 18o/o, and where the contribution of contraception to reduction in matemal mortality and morbidity is universally acknowledged. The study specifically sought to assess the level of knowledge about modem family planning methods and its benefits; to establish cultural beliefs and practices that hinder young women to use modem family planning methods; to investigate existing rumors and misconceptions associated with modem family planning methods; and to determine the accessibility of modem family planning services by potential clients in the district .. The study was conducted through a cross-sectional survey design and employing both qualitative and quantitative approaches with a view of improving the utilization of modem family planning services. In this study, modem family planning methods is generally defined as artificial drugs or devices used to prevent the occurrence of pregnancy; and young women refer to women and girls between 15 and 49 years of age. A sample of 125 young women was randomly selected in two sample sub counties of Kagulu and Nkodo and interviewed. Visits to health facilities in the selected sub-counties were made by the researcher to observe availability of modem contraceptives. The data was collected and analyzed using a simple ordinarily developed Excel spread sheet where tables and graphs were generated for data presentation. The study findings established that although there was high level (89%) of awareness about family planning, there was limited knowledge about the benefits of family planning, and this has negative influence on the contraceptive use. The negative attitudes about modem family planning methods have led to fuelling of myths and beliefs that hinder successful promotion of the services. The common side effects that occur in some individuals are always exaggerated, thus scaring away potential FP clients. The existing cultural beliefs and practices of producing many children as source of wealth. security and prestige has made women chose not use modem FP methods since they are also associated with stopping child birth Long distance to the family planning clinics; rude or unfriendly health workers; long waiting time before one is attended to; irregular availability of contraceptives in health facilities; and lack of a variety of FP methods are responsible for hindering women to access family planning services in the district. In view of above, recommendations to improve the situation were made. The health worker should partner with religious, cultural, political leaders and carry out intensified behavior change campaigns specifically putting emphasis on benefits of family planning and also address the traditional beliefs, which tend to discourage women from using modem methods of contraception.

Establishment of more health facilities offering family planning services to reduce on the long distance, and the services be made more widely available and supply stocks should be maintained and replaced speedily as that can affect positively. Training of health workers to improve the quality of provider interaction with clients, provider's knowledge and understanding of the methods and procedures, and staff competence in performing the procedures. Deployment of more staff to units which are understaffed to reduce on the work load and solve the problem of clients waiting for long before they are served. Last but not least, Health workers should provide women with information on all family planning methods both during antenatal and as part of postnatal counseling to make them aware of the methods available to them.