Knowledge and Use of Family Planning Methods in a Level 1 Health Facility: The Case of the Forecariah Urban Health Centre (Guinea)

Introduction: The objectives of this study were to determine contraceptive prevalence, describe the socio-demographic characteristics of clients, and assess the level of knowledge and use of family planning methods by clients at the Forécariah Urban Health Centre. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional descriptive study conducted over a period of six (06) months from 05 August 2019 to 05 February 2020 at the Forécariah urban health centre, covering all clients who had used the family planning service at the urban health centre, whether or not they were using one of the family planning methods, and who had agreed to take part in the study. Results: Contraceptive prevalence in this clinic was 11.5%. The average age of clients was 25.04 years, with extremes of 15 and 45 years. More than half (55.4%) were under 25 years of age, 68.7% were not in education and 56.6% were unmarried. Only 25.3% of patients had any knowledge of family planning services. The most commonly cited FP methods were condoms, injectables and implants. Counselling for the methods offered was mainly carried out post partum (33.7%) and at intervals (37.4%). The methods chosen and offered were mainly injectables (42.2%) and condoms (28.9%). The main reasons given by clients for under-using FP services were lack of information (44.6%) and side effects (27.7%). Conclusion: The education of women of childbearing age, the use of communication channels through the media and educational talks by health workers on the various family planning methods remain crucial to increasing the use of contraceptive methods in this area.