Speaker
Description
Unintended pregnancies pose significant health risks, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where millions of cases are recorded annually, disproportionately affecting adolescent women. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, distribution, and factors associated with modern contraceptive utilization among women aged 15-49 in Uganda. The study sample comprised 9,235 women aged 15-49 who used any method to prevent pregnancy in the five years preceding the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS). The outcome variable was the utilization of modern contraceptives. Univariate, bivariate, and multilevel binary logistic regression were used to examine the relationship between individual and contextual factors and modern contraceptive use among women aged 15-49 in Uganda. Choropleth mapping and network analysis in ArcGIS 10.8.2 were used to visualize spatial distribution and measure community access to health facilities, respectively. The prevalence of modern contraceptive use was 39.15% (n=4,919) in Uganda, with significant spatial variation by district. Individual factors positively influencing use included marital status, wealth index, and education level, while sex of the household head, history of pregnancy termination, and religion negatively affected use. Despite Kampala being a major urban center with relatively better access to healthcare services and information, the low contraceptive prevalence in Kampala suggests factors beyond mere access to services. Cultural beliefs, religious influences, and other sociocultural factors may influence contraceptive decision-making in urban settings, highlighting the need for targeted outreach and education efforts tailored to urban populations. This study highlights disparities in modern contraceptive use across age groups and districts, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address these disparities.
