DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIOCULTURAL FACTORS INFLUENCING CONTRACEPTIVE USE IN UGANDA

Bivariate and multivariate analyses of the influence of demographic an d sociocultural factors on contraceptive knowledge, attitudes and prac tice among currently married respondents in Uganda show that: (1) cont raceptive knowledge is widespread, even among women with no education; (ii) the majority of the respondents have favourable attitudes toward s contraceptive use; (iii) the level of contraceptive use is low in co mparison with knowledge and attitudes. Post-primary education, ethnici ty, residence, the presence of the spouse in the household and discuss ion of family planning with spouse were strong predictors of knowledge and favourable attitudes towards contraception. Secondary or higher e ducation, discussion of family planning with spouse and urban residenc e strongly influenced contraceptive use, but child mortality did not. The use of condoms as a behavioural change to avoid contracting HIV/AI DS was low. The results suggest that, particularly in rural areas, fam ily planning services are not meeting the needs of potential clients.