Abstract
The main aim of the study was to determine knowledge and use of modern contractive methods among reproductive age group rural women in Zambia. The study is a descriptive cross-sectional study of 105 randomly selected rural women. Data was collected using semi-structured interview schedule and analyzed using EPI Info version 6 statistical packages. The findings revealed that 63% of the respondents were within the age group 21-35 years, 65% were married and 64% were peasant farmers. 90% of the respondents had heard about modern contraceptives and their main source of information was the Health worker (62%). 76% of the respondents stated that modern contraceptive methods could be obtained from public health facilities. 56% of the respondents were currently using modern contraceptive methods and 46% were not using modern contraceptive methods. Reasons for non use of contraceptive methods were religious beliefs (50%), partner disapproval (30%) and side effects (20%). The results showed a relationship between educational level and use of contraceptives (Chi-square 7.83, df = 3, P < 0.05) and spouse approval or support of contractive methods and use of contraceptive (Chi-square 5.9, df = 2, P < 0.05). Therefore, efforts to promote modern contraceptive use among the rural women should be intensified to overcome barriers to contraceptive use and should involve men.
Highlights
Zambia is among the sub-Saharan Af rican countries with a high fertility rate o f 5.9 births per woman (Central Statis tical Office, 2002:6)
Fifty four percent (54%) of the women in this study were currently using a modem contraceptive method and the majority (62%) of the women who were currently using contraceptives were within the age group 21-35 years and most (62%) of these women had sec ondary school education (Chi-square 7.83, df = 3, P
The current study has revealed that knowledge of modem methods of contraception and where the methods could be obtain was good, for example, many women could men tion at least one method of contracep tion and stated that modem contracep tive methods could be obtained from a health facility
Summary
Zambia is among the sub-Saharan Af rican countries with a high fertility rate o f 5.9 births per woman (Central Statis tical Office, 2002:6). It is located in the southern part of the sub-Saharan Afri can Region and it is a landlocked coun try. Planning was integrated in Ma ternal and Child Health care services in 1973 and even today it still an integral part o f the country’s reproductive health program (Ministry of Health 2002:24). Despite the integration offam ily planning services in the reproduc tive health program, there has been a slow decline in fertility level for in stance, from 6.5 births per woman in 1992 to 6.1 in 1996 to the current level o f 5.9 births per woman. About one in three of currently married women still have an unmet need for family planning (Central Statistics Of fice, 2002:276)
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