Barriers to Immediate Post-Partum Intra-Uterine Contraceptive Device Uptake among Mothers Delivering at Meru Hospital

Abstract

Global contraceptive use is at 64%, Africa lagging behind at 33.4%. Kenya has an unmet need for family planning at 23%. Hormonal injections are the most used in Africa at 9.8% and Intra-Uterine Contraceptive Devices at 3.8%. Low uptake of 3.4% was reported in Meru Hospital and lack of literature on immediate Post Partum Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device (PPIUCD) uptake.

Immediate Post Partum Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device is a long acting

reversible contraceptive device inserted into the uterus immediately within 48

hours after delivery. The objective was to assess Barriers to Immediate

Post-Partum Intra-Uterine Contraceptive Device uptake among Mothers delivering in Meru Hospital. Descriptive research design was used and a population of 289 mothers was

targeted. Sample size of 74 respondents was selected using simple random sampling. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect data. The collected data were entered and analyzed

using Statistical Package for Social Science windows version 23.0. Descriptive

analysis was used to obtain frequencies and percentages. Chi-square was used to test the relationship of study variables and presented in tables. The qualita-tive data were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that provider related barriers such as none provision of the services and untimely counseling

for the insertion had the highest impact to low uptake (57%). Clients lacked

information where 68% reported that they were not counseled. Demographic

and reproductive characteristics also played a role in low uptake. Using the

chi square test, there was a significant relationship, P = 0.001 between young

age of the mothers, unemployment (53%), low parity (56%) and low uptake.

Preference for other alternative contraceptives (25.8%) such

as hormonal methods was a barrier to the uptake. Therefore, barriers to PPIUCD uptake are provider related, alternative methods of contraception and client related such as lack of information, unemployment, young age and low parity. The findings will inform Meru hospital management on barriers to immediate PPIUCD uptake. The study recommends an investigation on why providers hinder PPIUCD uptake and create awareness on PPIUCD services to the community.