Challenges of family planning for the youth

By Jacquiline Emodek

A Ugandan woman on average gives birth to 5.8 children during her lifetime, according to the 2014 Uganda Population and Housing census report. The age-specifi c fertility rates indicate that fertility peaks when women are aged between 20-24 and then declines slowly until age 34.

About 30% of married Ugandan women use some method of contraception, with 26% using modern contraceptive methods such as female and male sterilisation, pill, intrauterine devices, injectable, implants, male condoms and diaphragms. In spite of this, the country is still facing challenges of family planning.

A reproductive health worker inserting an implant in a young woman's arm

Richard Kintu, the head of communications at Marie Stopes International Uganda (MSIU), explains that one of the biggest challenges is the growing group of young people that currently make up three quarters of the country's population and yet, do not easily access family planning methods. Currently, 10% of Government hospitals have youth-friendly corners.

"We have learnt that so many young people are in need, especially young mothers who realised that their relationships were not going to work out after getting their fi rst baby. Some of them want to space or delay having their second child, but when they try to access the services in traditional hospitals, the personnel tell them that they are not supposed to be there," he says. CLICK HERE FOR MORE

ADVERTISER  

UGANDA REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH VOUCHER PROJECT