Abstract:
Family planning plays an important role in reducing maternal and child health risks and helps couples plan the number and spacing of their children. Despite efforts to promote family planning in Tanzania, contraceptive use remains low, especially in regions like Shinyanga. The aim of this study was to assess the utilization of family planning services and the factors that influence their use among women attending the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) clinic at Mwadui Hospital, Shinyanga Region.
This study used a hospital-based cross-sectional design. Data were collected using structured questionnaires from 149 women of reproductive age (15–49 years) who attended the RCH clinic. Systematic random sampling was used to select participants. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 27 to describe the patterns of family planning use and determine associations with key factors.
The results showed that the overall prevalence of family planning use among participants was 41.6%. Knowledge about contraceptives was generally good; however, cultural beliefs, myths, and limited partner support remained major barriers. Women who received counseling about family planning were significantly more likely to use contraceptive methods, while those who faced challenges like side effects were less likely to continue using them.
The study concludes that counseling services and addressing cultural myths are critical to improving family planning utilization. The findings highlight the need for stronger community education efforts and more male involvement to increase the acceptance and use of family planning services.
