Adolescents’ contraceptive use in low resource settings

While several factors including social norms, policies and some adolescent attributes have been associated with use of contraceptives in most developing countries (UNFPA 2003), the determinants of low use in Uganda are not well explored. This study therefore aimed to explore the factors influencing contraceptive use among adolescents in Uganda. The study used literature review and in depth telephone interviews to collect data. Several documents on adolescent sexual practices from Uganda were reviewed, including policy documents from the Ministry of Health (MoH). Data analysis was done using Dahlgren and Whitehead’s (Dahlgren and Whitehead 1991) conceptual framework to demonstrate how individual, societal and policy factors impact on adolescent contraceptive use outcomes.The study therefore concludes that, unless policies, society norms and individual barriers of contraceptive use are addressed, low contraceptive use is more likely to continue in Uganda. Specifically also, there is need to train health workers in such a way that can remove their negative attitudes to the provision of contraceptives to adolescents.