TITLE:
Utilization of Modern Contraceptives for Family Planning in Urban Setting: Kitunda Ward of Ilala Municipal, Dar-es-Salaam City, Tanzania
AUTHORS:
Irene Kessy, Edmund J. Kayombo
KEYWORDS:
Tanzania, Contraceptives, Family Planning, Child Spacing
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.2 No.11,
November
24,
2015
ABSTRACT: Background: Tanzania is one of countries with low
rate (34%) on utilization of contraceptives when compared with developed and other developing countries. Objective:
The objective of this study was to assess the current use of contraceptives
among women of reproductive age (15 - 49 years) in urban areas as case study,
and evaluate barriers on utilization of contraceptives at Kitunda ward, Ilala Municipal, Dar-es-Salaam city. Study
Design: The study was a cross-sectional study. Three hundred women of reproductive
age (15 - 49 years) were interviewed using structured questionnaires for data
collection. Two research assistants assisted researchers to interview the
sampled child bearing age women. Data Analysis: The collected data were entered
in a computer and were analyzed using EPI Info software version 6.0. Results: A
total of 300 women were interviewed; 71.9% were of age ranged 18 - 35 years;
and 50.5% had secondary and college education. The prevalence of contraceptive
use was 70%, and injectables ranked first (30.8%) followed by pills (27.7%).
Other contraceptive methods used were calendar, rhythm and condoms.
Socio-demographic characteristics of women were found to associate with
contraceptive use. The most common barriers on utilization of the contraceptives
reported include disruption in menstrual cycle, headache, cancer and
cardiovascular diseases. It is recommended that there should be an agent need
of increasing knowledge by seminar on utilization of all types of
contraceptives that spells the usefulness and possible side effects like to
occur to users of contraceptives and where to seek health services when such
problems occur. This will help users of contraceptive users to have an informed
choice which is contraceptive to use for family planning. Above all traditional
herbs used for FP should be scientifically studied on their safety and
efficacy. They may provide an alternative to present contraceptives that have
shown to have side effects.