P05.06
Background: Interventions geared towards reduction of unwanted pregnancies and elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV have led to the integration of family planning (FP) and HIV-care services into the general health care package. Fishing communities are another key population for HIV infection in Uganda with incidence and prevalence ∼3-6 times higher than estimated national rates. These communities are being targeted for HIV prevention trials where FP is a requirement. There is paucity of data on the knowledge and use of modern FP including hormonal, barrier and permanent methods in fishing communities.
Methods: Data are accrued from a baseline survey of 2191 HIV-uninfected individuals aged 18–49 years enrolled between September 2011 and March 2013 from 8 fishing communities. At the 12-months post baseline visit, data on knowledge and use of family planning were collected through a semi structured questionnaire.
Results: About three quarters (1688/2191, 77%) of the volunteers provided data on FP. Knowledge about family planning was high, 87% (1477/1688). Just above a third, 35% (595/1688) reported current use of at least one modern FP method. Use of modern FP by a respondent and/or their sexual partner was more frequently reported by females than males (41.6% vs. 29.2%, p<0.001). Factors associated with higher use of modern FP were: increasing level of education (p=0.02), being currently married (p<0.001) and currently having other sexual partner/s (p<0.001). Reasons for non-use of modern FP methods were: desire for more children (30.6 %), currently not being in a sexual relationship (27%), fear of side effects (12.2%), currently pregnant/breast feeding (7.8%) being young (7.1%) and partner refusal (5.2%).
Conclusions: Knowledge of modern FP methods among fishing communities along Lake Victoria, Uganda is high but use is still low. High fertility desires, not being in a sexual relationship and fear of perceived side effects are key barriers to use of modern FP.
