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 im- mediate 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 hoursafterdelivery.TheobjectivewastoassessBarrierstoImmediate Post-Partum Intra-Uterine Contraceptive Device uptake among Mothers de- livering in Meru Hospital. Descriptive research design was used and a popu- lation of 289 mothers was targeted. Sample size of 74 respondents was se- lected using simple random sampling. Questionnaires and interview sche-dules 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 usedto test the relationship of study variables and presented in tables. The qualita- tive data were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that provider re- lated barriers such as none provision of the services and untimely counselingfor the insertion had the highest impact to low uptake (57%). Clients lacked information where 68% reported that they were not counseled. Demographic andreproductivecharacteristicsalsoplayedaroleinlowuptake.Usingthe 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 methodswasabarriertotheuptake.Therefore,barrierstoPPIUCDuptake are provider related, alternative methods of contraception and client relatedsuchaslackofinformation,unemployment,youngageandlowparity.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.