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Article Information:
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) towards Modern Contraceptives Among Married Women of Reproductive Age in Mpwapwa District, Central Tanzania
J. Lwelamira, G. Mnyamagola and M.M. Msaki
Corresponding Author: J. Lwelamira
Submitted: March 03, 2012
Accepted: March 16, 2012
Published: May 10, 2012 |
Abstract:
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This study was undertaken in Mpwapwa District in Central Zone of Tanzania between July to
August, 2009 to assess knowledge, attitude and practice towards modern contraceptives among married women
of reproductive age (15-49 years). Specific objectives of the study were to ascertain knowledge and attitude
towards modern contraceptives, to determine the extent of use of modern contraceptives and identify factors
associated with current use of modern contraceptive in the study population. Study design involved a crosssectional
survey that involved 160 women randomly selected from eight villages with nearly equal number of
respondents per village. Data from respondents were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire.
Furthermore, eight Focus Groups Discussions (FGDs), with one FGD per village were also carried out to collect
qualitative information. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program version 12 was used to analyse
quantitative data. Qualitative data were analysed using Content Analysis (CA). Results of this study revealed
knowledge of modern contraceptives in a study population to be high. Furthermore, findings of this study
indicated substantial proportion of respondents to have positive attitude towards modern contraceptives and
hence more room for increasing modern contraceptive use in a study population. For example, half (50%) of
respondent that were aware of modern contraceptives thought that benefits of modern contraceptives outweigh
negative effects and 42% agreed that they could recommend use of modern contraceptive to a friend. However,
despite presence of positive attitude towards modern contraceptives by a good number of women in a study
population, negative attitude of husband towards modern contraceptives can be one of the obstacles for the
success of campaigns to increase modern contraceptive use in the study area. Two- third (65.8%) of study
participants indicated that their husband doesn’t approve modern contraceptives. Regarding contraceptive
prevalence rate in the target group (i.e., proportion currently use modern contraceptives), although there was
some improvement compared to the past national averages, however, the obtained figure (25%) was far (too
low) from the desired national target of 60%. Results for Binary Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis
indicated that Likelihood (chances) of being current user of modern contraceptives by a woman increased
significantly by having secondary education and higher (Odds ratio (OR) = 15.18, p<0.05), having higher
number of living children (i.e., 4 and above) (OR = 19.68, p<0.01), spousal communication on modern
contraceptives (OR = 1.84, p<0.05), woman participation in decision making regarding fertility in a family (OR
= 19.40, p<0.05) , husband approval of modern contraceptives (OR = 18.46, p<0.01) and having positive
attitudes towards modern contraceptives (OR = 8.50, p<0.05) (i.e., thinking that benefits of modern
contraceptives outweighs negative effects) compared to the counterparts. The Odds (chances) of being current
user of modern contraceptive by a woman decreased by living more than 5 km from nearest health facility (OR
= 0.67, p<0.05) and if had ever encountered side effects (OR = 0.44, p<0.05). Based on these findings
recommendations for improving modern contraceptive use in a study population have been indicated.
Key words: Contraceptives, family planning, fertility, knowledge, , ,
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Cite this Reference:
J. Lwelamira, G. Mnyamagola and M.M. Msaki, . Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) towards Modern Contraceptives Among Married Women of Reproductive Age in Mpwapwa District, Central Tanzania. Current Research Journal of Social Sciences, (3): 235-245.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-3246
ISSN (Print): 2041-3238 |
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