Factors associated with the utilization of contraceptives among teenagers in western Uganda: a cross-sectional study

Teenage pregnancy continues to be a significant public health concern in Uganda, with approximately one thousand cases reported daily. The lack of access to and underutilization of contraceptives contribute to this issue. We aimed to investigate the factors associated with the utilization of contraceptives among teenagers. This cross-sectional study collected data on socio-demographics, health facility-related factors, access to contraceptive information and contraceptive utilization from 409 teenagers aged 13–19 years in Ntandi Town Council in Bundibugyo, western Uganda. Prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals were estimated using a modified Poisson regression analysis with robust standard errors to determine factors associated with contraceptive utilization considering significant factors with a p-value <0.05. The utilization of contraceptives among teenagers aged 13 to 19 years in Bundibugyo District was 53.1% (n=217 / 409) 95%CI=48.1% – 58%). The factors associated with contraceptive utilization included: being an older teenager (17-19 years aPR=0.931, 95%CI=0.87 – 0.99), being employed (aPR=2.177, 95%CI=1.06 – 4.48) teenagers having 3 to 4 children (aPR =1.28, 95% CI = 1.05–1.56), having attained a secondary education (aPR =1.37, 95% CI = 1.13–1.67), distance to the nearest health facility (aPR =1.07, 95% CI = 1.02–1.13), and preferred health facility type (preferring a Health Centre IV: aPR=1.050 95%CI=1.00 – 1.10); preferring a hospital: aPR =1.070, 95% CI = 1.02-1.12). The utilization of contraceptives was high 53.1% as compared to Uganda’s 2030FP commitment of 39.6% by 2025 for all women. When targeting intervention for contraceptive utilization, emphasis should be put on younger teenagers and those with index pregnancies. Further research can be done on why teenagers prefer to receive contraception services from higher cadre facilities. Keywords: Contraceptive utilization, Teenagers, Early pregnancies, Bundibugyo District