Browsing by Author "Nxumalo, Maureen Zanele"

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    An investigation of factors associated with low utilization of Implanon (LARC's) in Ugu District, Province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
    (University of Fort Hare, 2018-06) Nxumalo, Maureen Zanele; Jinabhai, C.N.
    Background: Implanon (LARC's) is a single rod contraceptive implant that has been proven to be highly effective and very safe as only one pregnancy occurred in 1000 women over three years of usage. Women have however expressed different factors that are associated with its low utilization. Aim: The study aimed to investigate the factors that were associat,ed with low utilization of Implanon (LARC's) among young women in Ugu District, in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal. Setting: Three District Hospitals, one Regional Hospital and two Community Health Centres in the Ugu District, KZN Province. Methodology: This study was a descriptive cross sectional study using the systematic random sampling where every third person in the queue was selected. The study was conducted at family planning clinics in the Ugu District. The self- administered questionnaire was used to collect the data among 150 young women from the ages of 18 to 35 years. This was done after obtaining the ethical clearance and letters of support from all institutions where the study was going to be conducted. The signed consent forms were obtained from the participants. The main outcome measured was the association of socio-demographic factors, myths, knowledge and effectiveness of provider counselling and low utilization of Implanon (LARC's). Results: The findings of the study showed that 24% of young women in the Ugu District used Implanon as a contraceptive method. There was statistically a significant association between married young women and Implanon use (chi squared value=5.11; p=0.0238; df=1 ). The association is such that married young women are more likely to use Implanon, compared to unmarried young women (OR=2.8; 95% Cl ( 1.12; 7 .06) as well as all provider counselling factors. Factors such as age, educational level, employment status, knowledge and the myths were all not significantly associated with low utilization of implanon. The results also revealed that although the majority of participants had adequate knowledge of Implanon (LARC's) this did not translate to increase in utilization. Conclusion: The study concluded that socio-demographic factors like age, educational level, employment status including other factors like knowledge and myths had no influence in the low utilisation of Implanon (LARC's) in the Ugu District. Moreover there was significant association between married young women, provider counselling and low utilisation of Implanon.