Factors influencing use of family planning methods among HIV positive female clients in South Western Uganda: A case of Kitagata Hospital.

Abstract

This dissertation presents findings of a cross-sectional study carried out among (191) HIV positive females attending HIV care clinic in Kitagata hospital Sheema district, Uganda. The aim of the study was to assess factors influencing utilization of Family Planning services among HIV positive female clients of Kitagata hospital.

Results show that over a quarter of the respondents were aged 40-44 years. Three quarters of respondents were married while only 37% had at least primary school level. The majority of the respondents were Protestants. Two thirds reported that the main source of FP information was health facility and community sensitization, three fifth received FP counseling from the HIV clinic and counseling was with charts only. 81% were currently using FP methods where by single users were two thirds. More than of half of the clients received FP services from the HIV clinic. Results of logistic regression show that Catholics were less likely while Pentecostals were more likely to be using FP methods compared to Protestants (p <0.005). Cohabiting and widowed respondents were more likely to use FP compared to the married clients. Respondents who had completed secondary and higher education had higher odds of using FP compared to women with no education (p <0.005). Respondents who lived closer to the facility tended to use FP methods more than their colleagues who had to walk for an hour or more. Respondents who did not discuss FP with their spouse were less likely to use FP compared to their counterparts. HIV positive females who had information about FP were less likely to use FP compared to their counterparts. HIV positive females who were taking septrin were more likely to use FP compared to those taking ARVs It is recommended that the church and other actors should encourage the Catholics to start using natural Family Planning methods, consider involving FP education sessions in primary education co curriculum, equip health center II with FP services. MOH should develop programs targeting married couples, develop guidelines for male involvement and circulate them to facilities and develop a policy on VHTs distributing the FP methods to their communities. Community sensitization among female clients who have completed primary education and those below primary level should be emphasized. In addition VHTs should encourage men to give support to their women.