| dc.description.abstract | Use of contraceptives among female university students has been widely studied in many
countries but little on choice, pattern and constraints on use of contraceptives particularly among
female students residing in hostels around Makerere University. This current study was
conducted to assess how young female students chose the types of contraceptives they used.
The study was conducted among female students who resided in hostels around Makerere
University. Simple random sampling and systematic sampling were used to sample ten hostels
and 236 female students respectively. Structured questionnaires and interview guides were used
to collect data from female students and key informants respectively. Quantitative data was
entered and analysed using SPSS version 17. Qualitative data was analysed by thematic content
analysis.
Findings revealed that 87% of the students were aged 20-24 years and only 4% were 25 years
and above; 35% were Catholics, 27% were Protestants and muslims were 17%; 99% were on
degree programmes. Over 63 % of the students were in relationships with 33.3% and 31.2%
having been in these relationships for 13-24 months and 25 months or more respectively. Choice
of contraceptives by female university students was mainly influenced by the ease to use (38%),
side effects (27%), cost (25%), and availability (24%). Male condoms (89%), oral pills (77%),
and injections (64%) were the most used contraceptives and contraceptive sponges were least
used. The commonest challenges facing use of contraceptives among female students were side
effects (87%), religious restraints (33%), unavailability of certain contraceptive methods,
opposition of male partners (30%), forgetting to use contraceptives (27%) and lack of knowledge
on use of contraceptives (23%). In conclusion, choice to use a particular contraceptive depended
on ease to use, side effects, cost or its availability and based on these factors male condoms, pills
and injection mostly used. This is line with rational choice theory. Challenges like side effects,
religious restraints, unavailability of certain contraceptive methods, and opposition from male
partners face use of contraceptives. Consequently, the following were recommended:
intensifying campaigns on increasing knowledge on various contraceptives and their various
sources; encouraging students to be liberal and pragmatic as regards contemplating issues on
reproductive health and sexual rights and restraining from influence of religious dogmas;
availing condoms in hostels and involving males in campaigns on contraceptive use. | en_US |
