Browsing by Author "Okello James"

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    The role of lower government health units (health centres) in provision of family planning services in Lira Municipality
    (Kampala International University, School of Health Sciences, 2013-03) Okello James
    The study sought to assess the availability of modern contraceptive methods in lower government health units, the level of involvement of the service providers, community involvement and participation in family planning service delivery, the number of staff responsible and the factors hindering effective service delivery. Pretested questionnaires were issued to a total of 100 respondents, 60 of whom were clients, 10 service providers in each of the three health units visited, making a total of 30 service providers and 10 key informants. All data was analyzed with the help of electronic calculator and the computer. The results indicated the increasing need for contraception amongst the population regardless of the parity, social status and religion. The majority (36.8%) of contraception users had 1-2 children and had only attained primary level of education. About 50% of clients using contraceptives at the time of interview were Roman Catholics, a religious sect well known for its negative campaign against contraception. However, majority (79%) of the clients interviewed were getting family planning services either in the hospital or private clinics, not the health centre in which they had come for other health services. The main reasons advanced were ranging from seeking better services, privacy and convenience and others preferred hospitals because of doctor’s presence. The same reasons were also given by 60% of the key informants who were either directly or indirectly involved in contraceptive use; where they also insisted on better services as a main reason for going to private clinics. All the service providers (100%) interviewed stated the limitations of these lower health units (health centers) as stemming from shortage of methods, poor staffing, inadequate spacing and community bias against the lower level units in provision of certain services.