Intention to use modern contraceptives among current nonusers of reproductive age in Uganda

BACKGROUND: Women's intention to use contraceptive methods is critical for better visualization of future needs and for making it more likely to translate into actual use. This study sought to examine the determinants of intention to use modern contraceptives among current non-users of reproductive age in Uganda. METHODS: The study used secondary data from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) dataset. The sample size consisted of 13,088 women aged 15-49 who were not using contraception. The dependent variable was the intention to use contraceptives. STATA version 17 was used for data analysis. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify the predictors of intention to use contraceptives at the 5% level of significance. RESULTS: Findings indicated that six in ten (60.2%) non-users of contraceptives had an intention to use them in the future. The odds of intention to use contraceptives were higher among women with secondary education (AOR 1.482, CI = 1.168-1.880), women who desired 3-4 children (AOR = 1.343, CI = 1.135-1.590), women with 3-4 living children (AOR = 1.817, CI = 1.391-2.373), women who have ever used a contraceptive method (AOR = 2.457, CI = 1.686-3.579), and women whose last pregnancy was unwanted (AOR = 1.720, CI = 1.231-2.405). On the other hand, the odds of intending to use contraceptives were lower among women aged 35-44 years (AOR = 0.242, CI = 0.143-0.284) and 45-49 years (AOR = 0.028, CI = 0.017-0.044), Muslim women (AOR = 0.676, CI = 0.559-0.817), Pentecostal women (AOR = 0.708, CI = 0.598-0.837), and formerly married women (AOR = 0.672, CI = 0.517-0.875). CONCLUSIONS: The study found that the intention to use contraceptives among Ugandan women not currently using contraception was associated with having secondary education, a preference for having 3-4 children, having 3-4 living children, prior contraceptive use, and experiencing an unwanted pregnancy. The study recommends enhanced access to and completion of at least secondary education for girls. The study further recommends that policymakers and program implementers sensitise communities about the benefits of smaller family sizes through community dialogues highlighting the health, economic, and educational advantages for families and communities.