Contraceptive use among in and out-of school adolescents in rural southwest Uganda.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the level of contraceptive use among in and out-of school rural Ugandan adolescents.


METHODS
Cross sectional survey.


METHODS
Mbarara district.


METHODS
Five hundred in-school and 220 out-of school adolescents aged 15-19 years.


METHODS
Contraceptive use.


RESULTS
Contraceptive prevalence was 171 (23.8%), with 99 (19.8%) among in-school and 72 (32.7%) in out-of school (OR=0.8, 95% CI=0.5-1.3). Of the 286 who had had sexual intercourse, 171 (59.8%) were current users with 99 (57.9%) in-school and 72 (42.1%) out-of school. The predominant method was the male condom with 80 (56.7%) in-school and 61 (43.3%) out-of-school (p=0.3). Sixty five (67%) of in-school aged 18-19 used contraceptives compared to those less than 18 years (OR=0.4, 95% CI=0.2-0.8). The out-of school who were urban residents 51(75%) were more likely to use contraceptives (OR=0.3, 95% CI=0.1-0.6). Out-of school with secondary education 37(84.1%) were more likely to use contraceptives (OR=0.2, 95% CI=0.1-0.5). Cost was a barrier for contraceptive use among in-school users 37(77.1%) (OR=2.6, 95% CI=1.7-5.4). Stigma surrounding their sexual activity was a barrier to out-of school 25 (58.1%) (OR=0.4, 95% CI=0.2-0.8).


CONCLUSIONS
Contraceptive use among rural sexually active adolescents is low although the prevalence is higher in out-of school. Reorientation of contraceptive services to make them more accessible through strengthening of school health programme and establishment of out-of school adolescent health programme are urgently needed.
Batwala
V K
VK
Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410, Mbarara,Uganda.
Nuwaha
F
F
Mulogo
E M
EM
Bagenda
F
F
Bajunirwe
F
F
Mirembe
J B
JB
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019035:Rural Health Services; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012572:School Health Services; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014454:Uganda
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female