Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) Towards Modern Contraceptives among Married Women of Reproductive Age in Mpwapwa District, Central Tanzania

J. Lwelamira ； G. Mnyamagola ； M.M. Msaki

《Current Research Journal of Social Sciences》 4卷3期 (2012/05) Pp. 235-245

並列摘要

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 cross-sectional 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.

並列關鍵字

Contraceptives ； family planning ； fertility ； knowledge