TITLE:
Knowledge and Practice of Contraception by the Inhabitants of the Health Zone of Kansele, City of Mbujimayi, Democratic Republic of Congo
AUTHORS:
Elisee Awenze Mpela, Augustin Kadiata Bukasa, Marcel Tshidibi Bukasa, Omanyondo Ohambe Marie-Claire, Verronique Balua Kumona, Agnes Tudinange Badibake, Alexis Nzee Bolotsi, Nene Kabyahura Novi, Marcel Leka Alindekane, Nzolani Mpangi Rose, Mujinga Ntumba
KEYWORDS:
Knowledge, Practice, Contraception, Associated Factors, Health Zone
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.10 No.11,
November
27,
2023
ABSTRACT: Introduction: The family planning policy aims to bring women in sexual activity to the use of modern methods of contraception. But, despite the many initiatives aimed at this improvement, modern contraceptive prevalence is still low. The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and practices of contraception by the inhabitants of Kansele Health Zone. Methods: Our study was cross-sectional with an analytical focus on 249 randomly selected subjects and over a period from July 30 to September 30, 2021. The survey method and interview technique, as well as the questionnaire as an instrument were used to collect the data. The univariate and bivariate analysis was performed and the odds ratios with their 95% CIs were calculated. The significance level was set at p Results: The majority of respondents were in the age group of 21 to 26 years (38.55%). The female sex was predominant (87.95%); there were many participants with good knowledge (92.37%), but only half of the respondents, i.e. 51.30%, had used contraceptive methods during the last 12 months. The following variables were associated with low contraceptive use: occupation (OR = 2.6633, IC [1.4240; 4.7100], p = 0.0421); the level of study (OR = 2.4922, IC [1.4672; 4.2673], p = 0.0003) and the desired inter-birth interval (OR = 2.0221, IC [1.321; 4.147], p = 0.0386). Conclusion: Improvement in modern contraceptive practice in the Kansele health zone (city of Mbujimayi) must necessarily go through an ambitious and well-coordinated program. This program should focus on raising awareness, coupled with offering a wide range of contraceptive products at affordable costs.