Determinants of Non Use of Contraception Among University in Uganda

 

Background: Adolescent pregnancy causes both maternal and neonatal adverse health outcomes. Uganda with its low use of contraception and a high maternal mortality rate makes it crucial to research the factors leading to unwanted pregnancies. The overall aim was to analyse the relationship between socio-demographic factors, use of alcohol and factors relating to type of relationship with non-use of contraception among Ugandan university students.

Method: In 2010, 1,954 students at Mbarara university in southwestern Uganda participated in a cross sectional study. It was a self-administered questionnaire, which assessed among others socio demographic factors, alcohol and sexuality based questions. Logistic regression analysis was applied as the main analytical tool. Potential factors were analysed to test for effect modification.

Results: 1,179 (60.3%) of the total sample were sexually active, out of which 199 (18.6%) did not use contraception on their latest occasion of sexual intercourse. Students who were currently not in a relationship were more likely not to use contraception (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.4-2.9). Females were found to have higher odds than males. This relationship remained statistically significant even after controlling for age, sexual debut, area of origin, educational level of head of the household and consumption of alcohol on latest occasion of sexual intercourse. Age at sexual debut and alcohol consumption were potential effect modifiers.

Conclusion: Sexually active students who were not in a current relationship were less prone to contraceptive use. Students not in a relationship with early sexual debut and used alcohol at the latest occasion of sexual intercourse had higher odds of non-use of contraception. Partner communication and sex education can be proposed as strategies for increasing contraceptive use to avoid unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions and STIs. This can help in attaining better sexual and reproductive health outcomes.