Assessment of Knowledge and Perception Towards Modern Contraceptives Use Among Women of Reproductive Age in Mtwivila, Tanzania

Peter Elia Mosha

doi:10.11648/j.sjph.20170504.19

Abstract

This study was conducted in 2014 in Mtwivila, Tanzania. The objective of the study was to assess knowledge, perception and factors associated with use of modern contraceptive use among women. Simple random sampling technique was used to select a representative sample of 96 women aged 15-49 years. Data were collected through interviews, focus group discussions and documentary reviews. Findings show that knowledge of modern FP was almost universal (100% percent), although 79 (82.3 percent) claimed to have been using modern contraceptives methods. Much smaller proportion (17.7 percent) reported not to be using modern contraceptives during the time of interview. Most of the respondents (96%) had positive attitude on modern contraceptive use as 96 of all interviewed women stated contraceptives were effective for birth control and that they would recommend to a friend or a relative the use of modern contraceptive. However, 28% women reported having stopped using modern contraceptive of which 25% due to side effects. Chi-square confirmed the association of education, sources of information about contraceptives, occupation, household income, distance from the health center and husband's involvement with the use of contraceptives among women. It is concluded that there is a good level of knowledge and a positive perception towards contraceptive use among women of reproductive age. Men involvement during sensitization on family planning would be an effective strategy toward sexual and reproductive health promotion.

Highlights

Whenever human reproduction is left unchecked, it results into high birth rates [1]
Planning (FP) in which the major component is the use of contraceptive methods is a key fundamental of health services whose benefits are health and wellbeing of women, men, children, families, and their communities [1]
We present demographic and social characteristics of the women who were involved in the study

Summary

Introduction

Whenever human reproduction is left unchecked, it results into high birth rates [1]. Planning (FP) in which the major component is the use of contraceptive methods is a key fundamental of health services whose benefits are health and wellbeing of women, men, children, families, and their communities [1]. The WHO (2015) defined the contraceptive as use of a product or medical procedure that interferes with reproduction from acts of sexual intercourse. Contraceptive methods can be divided into two categories: traditional and modern. Modern contraceptives include oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices (IUDs), female and male sterilization, injections, condoms and the diaphragm. Other practices, which have a direct impact on fertility that have been used include prolonged breast feeding and postpartum sexual abstinence, which are probably used child survival and child spacing rather than for limiting family size

Objectives

Results

Conclusion