Contraceptive uptake among postpartum mothers 15–49 years of age in Kalisizo Hospital, Kyotera District, Central Uganda

Abstract

Per 1000 live births, 336 mothers die from pregnancy-related causes in Uganda; most of which are preventable as 9,549 mothers’ lives were saved from 2015–2020 through reaching the CIP mCPR goal. Use of contraception can prevent unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions which could lead to loss of lives of the women involved. Studies elsewhere have shown that the contraceptive use among postnatal mothers has a strong association with unsafe abortions and deaths. Similarly, there is limited information regarding the factors associated with contraceptive use among postnatal mothers. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of contraceptive uptake and to establish individual, socio-economic and health facility related factors associated with contraceptive uptake among post-partum mothers, 15–49years of age in Kalisizo hospital, Kyotera district, central Uganda. This was a hospital based cross sectional observational and analytic study. A total of 168 randomly selected participants were recruited to participate in the study. Univariate analysis, Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were done using STATA version 14.0 to identify factors associated with postpartum uptake of contraceptives. Odds ratios with 95% confidence interval were computed to determine the level of significance at bivariate whereas adjusted odds ratios were calculated at multivariate analysis to establish independent significant factors. The prevalence of uptake of contraceptives among postpartum women was 36.3%. Age (p=0.007) and area of residence (p=0.025) remained significantly associated with the uptake of contraceptives among postpartum women. Support from partner to use contraceptives was found to be independently associated with the uptake of contraceptives among postpartum women (p=0.024), with respondents who got support being 1.3times more likely to take up contraceptive (aOR=1.32, 95% CI (0.02-0.76)). Higher educational level was more likely to increase chances of contraceptive uptake; primary level 1.6times, Ordinary level 1.8times, Advanced level 2.2times and Diploma level 5times respectively as opposed to mothers who never went to school. Feeling that health workers are few and overworked was associated with uptake of contraceptive (p=0.001), with respondents who didn’t feel that way being 2.5times more like to take up contraceptive (cOR=2.51, 95% CI (1.25-5.02)). The postpartum family planning uptake among women attending Kalisizo hospital is higher than national contraceptive prevalence rate. Interventions which are multi-pronged should be used to address multiple barriers to the uptake of postpartum family planning.