FOCUS GROUP IDENTIFICATION OF BARRIERS TO THE USE OF MODERN CONTRACEPTION IN THE GARA MULETA DISTRICT OF EAST HARARGHE

Abstract

ABSTRACT:

With a crude growth rate in excess of 5% for the district and a contraception prevalence rate of less than 1%, the identification of barriers to the use of modern contraception was made a priority by the district health management team of Gara Muleta District, East Hararghe Administrative Region. As very little was known about barriers to use, it was decided to conduct focus group sessions with specific homogeneous groups of interest. These were young married males and females, older men and women (> 45 yrs), clergymen, and trained traditional birth attendants. Samples of each were taken from urban and rural settings. Large disparities based on sex and whether urban or rural dwellers were identified. Specific gaps in knowledge and misinformation regarding modern contraception were identified upon which the planning of initial family planning interventions will be based.