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

Abstract

Despite global efforts to enhance contraceptive utilization, adolescent females in Uganda face persistent challenges accessing and utilizing modern contraceptive methods, resulting in high fertility rates and maternal mortality. This cross-sectional study investigated the intricate factors influencing contraceptive usage among adolescent females attending Kasangati Health Center IV in Wakiso District, Uganda. Employing questionnaire-based surveys, the study targeted adolescent females attending the health center, utilizing simple random sampling to select 220 participants, as determined by Fisher's formula. Data analysis was conducted using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 20, presenting comprehensive findings through tables, pie charts, bar graphs, and narratives. The study uncovered a concerning contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) of 19% among adolescent females, despite existing awareness of family planning methods. Key determinants of contraceptive usage included limited knowledge about contraception, constrained access to services, entrenched societal norms, and gender dynamics. The findings highlight the urgent need to address these multifaceted barriers to enhance contraceptive utilization and mitigate unmet needs among adolescent females. The study's recommendations encompass targeted educational campaigns, improved accessibility of family planning services, and fostering the engagement of both genders in reproductive health decision-making processes. Ethical considerations were meticulously observed, with informed consent obtained from participants and ethical approval secured from relevant authorities. This study contributes seminal insights into the complex landscape of contraceptive utilization among adolescent females in Uganda, offering critical guidance for policy formulation and programmatic interventions aimed at improving reproductive health outcomes and curtailing maternal mortality rates. Keywords: Contraceptive utilization, Adolescent females, Reproductive health, Family planning, Wakiso District and Uganda