Health care providers’ experiences and prospects of providing family planning to adolescents in Kampala, Uganda. : A qualitative study

Abstract:

Background. Unsafe abortions are a prominent problem in low and middle income countries. These unsafe abortions can be prevented by decreasing unintended pregnancy. Few adolescents in Uganda use contraception methods even though knowledge of various contraceptives are almost universal among women. Problems adolescents face are often multidimensional and require solutions as such. Health care providers’ perspective of these problems can be the difference for an adolescent to use or not use family planning services.

Purpose. The aim of this study was to describe health care providers’ experiences and prospects of providing family planning to adolescents in Kampala, Uganda.

Method. A semi-structured interview guide was used for face-to-face interviews. Eight participants from four organisations in Kampala, Uganda were interviewed. Qualitative content analysis method was used and the results were presented descriptively.

Main results. The main result showed that the health care providers expressed that there is great importance to discuss and eradicate the myths and misconceptions the adolescents have regarding different family planning methods by sensitising with factual information, preferably in early ages. Some of the solutions to reach out as early as possible was to involve parents, social media and reproductive health-education in schools. The result presented an extensive description of their current methods in counseling and ways to reach adolescents, insight to various obstacles and ways to improve the pressing situation in Kampala, Uganda.

Conclusion. The interviews aimed to explore health care providers’ experience of methods used for family planning to adolescents in Kampala, Uganda. The health care providers were aware of obstacles and potential improvements to develop their business further. To meet young people on their own conditions and to be adaptable was discussed as important for a successful family planning.