Contraceptive acceptability and associated factors among young women (15–24) living with HIV/AIDS: a hospital-based study in Kampala, Uganda

INTRODUCTION: In Uganda, over 43% of all pregnancies among young women (15–24 years) living with HIV are either unwanted or mistimed. Unintended pregnancies account for 21.3% of neonatal HIV infections. The objective was to determine acceptability of contraceptives and associated factors among young women living with HIV attending HIV clinics in Kampala. METHODS: Between February and May 2019, 450 young women attending public HIV clinics (Kisenyi HC IV, Kiswa HC III and Komamboga HC III) in Kampala were systematically enrolled in a cross sectional study and interviewed using structured questionnaires. We used modified Poisson regression to determine the factors associated with acceptability of contraceptive. Data were analyzed using STATA 13.0. Statistical significance was determined at a P values < 0.05. RESULTS: Contraceptive acceptability was 40.7% (95% CI: 27.6%–53.6%). Older age group (20–24 years) (aPR; 2.42, 95%CI; 1.06–5.52, P = 0.035), age at sex debut ≥ 18 years (aPR;1.25,95%CI; 1.13–1.38, P<0.001), having friend on contraceptives (aPR; 1.90, 95%CI; 1.10 – 3.26; P =0.021) and being married (aPR; 1.20, 95%CI; 1.09 – 1.32, P<0.001) were significantly associated with acceptability of contraceptives. CONCLUSION: There is a low acceptability for contraceptives. Younger age group who are not yet married need to be targeted.