Perceived Needs and Barriers to Accessing Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) Services Among the Ik Community, Kaabong District, Uganda

Mukasa Samuel,Omona Kizito

doi:10.20849/ijsn.v6i4.944

Abstract

Background: The Ik are minority group of people in Kaabong district, Uganda. They are the most marginalized. In addition, little is known about their perceived SRH needs and barriers to accessing SRH services.Objective: To determine perceived needs and barriers to accessing SRH services by the Ik community.Material and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical design with analytical was used, both quantitative and qualitative (mixed methods). Data was collected using key informant interviews, focus group discussions and semi-structured questionnaires. Sample of 345 participants selected randomly and purposively. Qualitative analysis was thematic whereas Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) was for quantitative analysis.Results: Perceived SRH needs of the Ik were; limited access to SRH information, lack of protection from gender-based violence and lack of access to comprehensive safe motherhood programs. Access to SRH services was limited mainly by poverty, limited range of available RH services, long distances to health facilities, poor attitudes of health workers, culture, poor road networks and language barriers. Individual factors; period in marriage (p=0.047), number of sex partners (p=0.041), type of house structure one lived in (p=0.039), economic activity (p=0.009) were significantly associated with access of SRH services.Conclusion: SRH needs of the Ik community is still wanting

Highlights

1.1 Background of the StudyThe global burden of premature death due to sexual reproductive health (SRH) continues to grow despite global efforts to deter the occurrence
Perceived SRH needs of the Ik were; limited access to SRH information, lack of protection from gender-based violence and lack of access to comprehensive safe motherhood programs
This study discovered that the perceived SRH needs of the Ik are protection from gender-based violence, access to information on SRH, access to safe motherhood programs and treatment of STIs

Summary

Introduction

1.1 Background of the StudyThe global burden of premature death due to SRH continues to grow despite global efforts to deter the occurrence. Despite sizeable gains steps in promoting access to SRH services; more than 120 million couples have unmet need for modern contraception, 80 million women have unintended pregnancies, 45 million pregnancies end in abortion and kill more than half a million women annually and leave about 210 million women with disabilities (Anon., 2007). This cumulatively contributes to the high maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of 216 deaths per 100000 live births (UNICEF, 2015; WHO, 2019). Little is known about their perceived SRH needs and barriers to accessing SRH services

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion