Abstracts of the 8th Tanzania Health Summit, October 2021

Abstract

BMC Proceedings 2022, 16(Suppl 2):A1 Background Youth are challenged globally by sexual and reproductive health problems such as unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion and sexually transmitted infections. While family planning methods are a safe and effective way for individuals to responsibly control their sexual and reproductive needs, their use amongst sexually active youth is very low. This contributes to over 4.5 million unwanted pregnancies of which 40% end up as unsafe abortions globally. It is of urgency to understand factors that influence youth to adopt family planning methods to inform future strategies that aim at increasing the use of these modern methods of birth control. Objectives This study aimed at determining the prevalence and factor associated with utilization of family planning methods among youth in Mwanza, Tanzania. Methodology A cross sectional analytical study design was conducted among youth aged 15-24 years in selected secondary schools and university Colleges in Nyamagana district, Mwanza from January to March 2018. Participating institutions and the participants were selected using a multistage sampling method. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and later analyzed using SPSS version 23. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with the use of family planning; with significance considered at p-value<0.05. Results A total of 349 participants were enrolled in this study. The prevalence of utilization of family planning methods among sexually active youth was 83.2%. Factors associated with FP use were being female (AOR 2.84; CI: 1.05, 7.67) and not having a peer who is using the method (AOR 0.31; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.82). Poor awareness on availability of FP services at nearby facility was found to be significant (cOR 0.38; 95% CI: 0.16-0.90) during crude analysis but become insignificant when adjusted for other factors Conclusion Majority of sexually active learned youth were utilizing FP methods. Sex and peer pressure were significantly associated with family planning