Attitudes and beliefs towards contraception and future intention to use a method among women in refugee settlements in Uganda.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between attitudes towards contraception and future intention to use a method among women aged 15-45 years in two refugee settlements in Uganda.

DATA AND

METHODS

We used baseline data from a prospective study conducted among 1794 sexually active women aged 15-45 years, who were not using a contraceptive method at the time of the survey in Kyangwali and Kiryandongo refugee settlements in Uganda. We generated descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to examine the association between intention to use a contraceptive method in future and beliefs and attitudes towards contraception.

RESULTS

About a third (30.7%) of non-users intended to use a contraceptive method in future. The proportion of women who intended to use contraception in future was significantly higher among those who, or whose partners, supported its use compared to those who, or whose partners, opposed or were uncertain. Most women who did not intend to use contraception in future believed that their religion did not support married couples using contraception. More women intended to use a method in future if they believed that they could easily access it, the method is effective at preventing a pregnancy, and the method suitable to use or easy to use.

CONCLUSIONS

Intention to use a method in future was low among women living in refugee settings in Uganda, with side effects being a major reason for non-use among those who intend to use a method in future. Interventions aimed at increasing contraceptive use should focus on counselling strategies that diffuse misinformation related to health concerns.