Socio-Demographic Factors Associated with Contraceptive Use among Young Women in Comparison with Older Women in Uganda

John A. Mushomi, Makerere University
Patricia Ndugga, Makerere University
John Asiimwe, Makerere University
James Ntozi, Makerere University

This study compares factors associated with contraceptive use among married women in the two age groups: 15-24( younger women) and 25-34( Older women) using data from the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey for 2006 and 2011. The sample included fecund, non-pregnant married women who were sexually active within one year prior to the survey. Modern contraceptive use was found to be much lower among younger married women compared with older women. Factors among young married women were residence and desire for children, while among the older women education, household wealth and desire for children for all the surveys. Family planning programs should be intensified to meet the needs of young and married women. Programmes intended to improve contraceptive use among married women should put into consideration age factor since most Ugandan women get initiated into sexual activities at an earlier age and consequently enter marriage.