Barriers to Utilization of Modern Contraceptive Methods Used by Females Aged 15 - 24 Years: A Case Study of Moyo District in Uganda

Background: Modern contraceptives are medical procedures that interfere with reproduction or acts of sexual intercourse. Moyo district contraceptive prevalence used by females aged 15 - 24 years is 6.03%, which is far from the national target. The low contraceptive use among this age group results in high school drops, unwanted pregnancy, early child marriage, and community disputes. Purpose: To evaluate barriers associated with the utilization of modern contraceptive methods used by females aged 15 - 24 years in Moyo district in Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional design with mixed methods of quantitative and qualitative approaches was used. The reason for using a cross-sectional design is to measure the exposure and outcome variables at the same time. It’s relatively quick and inexpensive, and findings can be used to create an in-depth research study. Multistage sampling was used to draw 423 participants for quantitative and 23 participants were purposively selected for Qualitative study based on knowledge and experience, the results were analyzed using SPSS Version 20 and open code software and presented in the form of tables, pie charts, graphs, descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The findings indicated marital status OR 3.193, P-Value 0.000 and CI (2.002 - 5.091), Family/Community influence OR 1.644, P-Value 0.019 and CI (1.084 - 2.493) and Cultural influence OR 2.004, P-Value 0.006 and CI (1.218 - 3.298) tend to be associated with using contraceptives. Desire for children OR 0.459, P-Value 0.002 and CI (0.279 - 0.756) and long waiting time OR 0.442, P-Value 0.003 and CI (0.258 - 0.756) tend to be not associated with the use of modern contraceptives. The findings of this study have shown both individual and socio-cultural factors contribute to the low utilization of modern contraceptives among females aged 15 - 24 years, and these need to be addressed with the involvement of different stakeholders.