Abstract

Family planning remains a critical aspect of maternal health and population management in Uganda, particularly in
rural areas. Despite concerted efforts to increase awareness and accessibility, utilization rates remain suboptimal.
This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of family planning
among mothers attending antenatal care in Kyotera district, Uganda. A sample of 138 participants completed
questionnaires, revealing a nuanced landscape: while overall knowledge of family planning was high (73.9%), a
significant minority demonstrated poor understanding (26.1%). Similarly, though the majority exhibited positive
attitudes towards family planning (71.0%), a substantial proportion held negative views (29.0%). Notably, 62.3% of
mothers were not utilizing any family planning methods, despite 37.7% reporting usage, with injectable
contraceptives being the most common (42.3%). These findings underscore the need for targeted education
campaigns, enhanced service accessibility, and dispelling misconceptions to promote informed decision-making and
uptake of family planning methods. Addressing these challenges is vital for improving maternal health outcomes
and managing population growth in rural Uganda.