Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine factors which influence the utilization of FP services among reproductive
women in the Bushenyi District. The specific objectives of the study were; To determine the demographic factors
which influence the utilization of FP services in Bushenyi district, to determine the socio-economic factors which
influence the utilization of FP services in Bushenyi District and to determine reproductive women’s knowledge
towards FP services in Bushenyi District. The study employed a cross-sectional descriptive research design using
both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The researcher sampled a total of 42 respondents, as determined by
the Morgan table. However, only participants who consented were selected for the study. The researcher used
structured interviews to determine the factors affecting family planning service utilization among women of
reproductive age in Bushenyi. The findings revealed that the majority of respondents showed that family planning
methods lead to weight gain or loss, 28.6% cited continuous bleeding, 21.4% cited conceiving a disabled child unlike
14.3% showed that a woman may become infertile. The study concluded that despite the high educational status,
knowledge and acceptability of family planning methods observed in this study, the practice of those methods was
still relatively low. More targeted and well-organized educational campaigns were needed to improve this trend.
The study recommended that Campaigns against harmful community norms and cultural beliefs could hinder
mothers from accessing health services. The Ministry of Health should improve the staffing of healthcare workers
at all levels of service delivery.