FACTORS AFFECTING UTILIZATION OF FEMALE CONDOMS AMONG WOMEN AGED 15-49 ATTENDING THE FAMILY PLANNING UNIT AT SOROTI REGIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71020/jwhr.v2i3.33Keywords:
Female condom Utilization, Women age 15-49, Family Planning Unit, Soroti Regional Referral HospitalAbstract
Background.
Soroti Regional Referral Hospital HMIS records reported a steady decrease in the utilization of female condoms, from 1.0% to 0.7% and 0.1% in 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively. The study aimed to assess factors affecting the utilization of female condoms among women aged 15-49 attending the FP unit at SRRH.
Methodology.
A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used, employing only quantitative data collection and analysis techniques. A simple random sampling method determined the sample size of 32, and data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire.
Results.
The majority, 15/32(46.9%) of the respondents were aged 20-24 years, 29/32(90.6%) were married, 18/32(56.23%) respondents were urban residents, and 16/32(50.0%) attended secondary level of education. On socioeconomic factors, 76.9% of respondents received information from health workers, 15/32(46.9%) reported social stigma, and 23/32(71.9%) reported partner support. On individual factors, the majority 13/32(40.6%) of the women preferred other methods of FP, 15(46.9%) revealed difficulty in the insertion of FCs, and 16/32(50.0%) believed female condoms might remain inside the vagina. On health facility factors, 17/32(53.1%) respondents reported inability to open up to HCWs, 21/32(65.6%) revealed that female condoms protect against unintended pregnancy, and a few 7/32(21.9%) reported inadequate information about FCs.
Conclusion.
Increasing the supply and counseling of both men and women might increase utilization of FCs and therefore continuous health education of women, training of more health care providers on female condom insertion.
Recommendations.
The Ministry of Health should develop and implement policies promoting reproductive health, such as emphasizing radio talks and television shows to sensitize community members on where and when to seek reproductive health services like female condoms.
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