Peer-reviewed article
Non utilization of modern contraceptives among sexually active adolescent girls and young women aged 10-24 years in selected districts of Busoga region, Eastern Uganda: a cross-sectional study.
Tumwizere G, Bunani N, Muhumuza N, Uwera A, Kabagyenyi A ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This cross-sectional study of 490 sexually active adolescent girls and young women aged 10-24 in eastern Uganda found that 43.1% were not using modern contraceptives. Non-use was higher among those lacking confidence discussing contraception with peers, partners, or adults, and among those with poor access to contraceptive services. Young married women and those who interacted with community health workers had significantly lower rates of non-use. The study identifies social norms, communication barriers, and service accessibility as key drivers of contraceptive non-use in the region.
Key points
- 43.1% of sexually active adolescent girls and young women in Busoga region were not using modern contraceptives
- Lack of confidence discussing contraception with peers/adults associated with 33% higher prevalence of non-use
- Lack of confidence discussing contraception with partners associated with 37% higher prevalence of non-use
- Inaccessible contraceptive service points associated with 38% higher prevalence of non-use
- Young married women had 37% lower prevalence of non-use; those engaging with community health workers had 38% lower prevalence
Limitations
This cross-sectional design can only identify associations, not causal relationships. The study is limited to the Busoga subregion of eastern Uganda and may not be generalizable to other regions of Uganda or East Africa.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The nonuse of modern contraceptives among sexually active Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) impacts their health, future aspirations, and overall well-being. Addressing nonuse is crucial in empowering AGYW to take control of their future. This study aimed to determine the proportion of sexually active AGYW who are not using modern contraceptives and the associated factors in selected districts of the Busoga subregion, Eastern Uganda. METHODS: The study used a cross-sectional design utilizing quantitative data from 490 randomly selected sexually active young people in the Busoga subregion. Data were collected through in-person interviews using a questionnaire designed using Kobo Collect software. A multivariable modified Poisson regression model was used to estimate prevalence ratios for the factors associated with the non-utilization of modern contraceptives. RESULTS: The mean age of respondents was 19.3 years (Standard Deviation = 6.7). Out of 490 sexually active adolescent girls and young women, 43.1% were not using modern contraceptives. The prevalence of non utilization of modern contraceptives was 33% higher among adolescent girls and young women who are not confident discussing contraceptives with peers and older Adults (APR = 1.331 95% CI:1.056–1.667) compared to those who were confident. Likewise, adolescent girls and young women who were not confident discussing about contraceptives with their partners had a 37% higher prevalence of non-utilization (APR = 1.373; 95% CI: 1.023–1.845) and those who found modern contraceptive service points inaccessible had a 38% higher prevalence of non-utilization (APR = 1.386; 95%CI: 1.021–1.845). On the other hand, the prevalence of non-utilization of modern contraceptives was 37% lower among marrieds (APR = 0.631; 95% CI:0.475–0.838) compared to singles, while the prevalence of non-utilization is 38% lower among those who interact with community health workers/Village Health Teams (APR = 0.623; 95%CI: 0.401–0.967) compared to their counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: The nonuse of modern contraceptives among Adolescent girls and young women is high in eastern Uganda. Nonuse is influenced by sociodemographic factors and social norms. Interventions should enhance confidence building in discussing contraceptives through peer-led programs, make modern contraceptives more accessible, strengthen community-based outreaches and target young married people with tailored family planning awareness emphasizing the role of contraception.