Beyond Access: Unravelling the determinants of Family Planning Autonomy among adolescents in Matero, Lusaka

Abstract

This study was conducted in Matero Township of Lusaka district in Lusaka province. The general objective of the study was to investigate the determinants of family planning autonomy among adolescents in Matero. The study design used was case - control community-based cross-sectional study design with a quantitative approach to data collection. The target population of the study was all adolescents aged 14 – 21 years and who live in the selected study area. A total 384 participants were used as the sample size. Purposive sampling method was used to recruits participants. Adolescent boys and girls aged not above 21 years were identified by the researchers from each household and were selected to take part with their full consent. Data collection was done using a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the socio-demographic characteristics and the results were presented in tables and charts. Inferential statistics were performed by Chi-square at 95% confidence interval (CI) to assess the association between the interacting variables. Outcomes p < .05 were considered statistically significant. The study finding revealed that the rate of family planning autonomy among adolescents in Matero was 53.7%. The utilization of different family planning methods used by the adolescents in Matero vary as the most used FP method among adolescents in Matero is condoms (40.8%), followed by implants (20.2%), Oral contraceptive pills (15.0%) and hormonal patches (12.0%). The socioeconomic and demographic factors influencing FP autonomy among adolescents in Matero are older adolescent age, female gender, low level of education, being married and occupation while the social factors influencing FP autonomy among adolescents are access to FP services, living with a contraceptive user, being in a sexual relationship and having at least one child.