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This study assessed the factors contributing to low usage of contraceptive methods among women of reproductive age (15 – 49 years). Specifically, the study examined the status of the availability of contraceptive methods in the study area. In addition, it investigated the socio-demographic and economic factors influencing low usage of contraceptive methods in the study area. Lastly, it assessed the strategies for enhancing the use of contraceptives among women of reproductive age in the study area. The study employed a cross sectional design with mixed approaches of quantitative and qualitative methods. The study was conducted in two villages, namely Bitale and Kizenga in Kigoma Rural district. A total of 200 women of reproductive age were randomly selected and interviewed. The results indicated that contraceptives were available in health facilities but sometimes; they remained and expired before being used. Despite such availability; only 22.5 percent of the respondents were using contraceptives, the majority were not. The major reasons for not using any method of contraceptive were the desire to have children (34.8 percent), not seeing the purpose for using contraceptives (33.5 percent), and fear of side effects (12.3 percent). The side effects contributing to low use include abnormal vaginal breeding, breast pains, reduced desire to have sex and headache. The Chi square test show that age, education, husband’s education level, marital status and occupation were not statistically significant associated with contraceptive use. In deed, the need for more children and having ever tried measures to stop pregnancy were statistically significant associated with contraceptive use. Lastly, the study found that providing outreach services at the household level, educating the respondents about the benefit of family planning at community level and assigning employees with similar qualifications and knowledge in the health facilities; were the strategies to be adopted for enhancing use of contraceptive methods. This study confirms and concludes that there was still low use of contraceptives among women of reproductive age in Kigoma rural areas, despite their high knowledge on contraceptives and easy accessibility. This situation calls for efforts to be directed to providing more education on the benefits of contraceptive methods to increase the contraceptive usage. |
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