Opee Jimmyy, Opiro Keneth, Manano Priscilla, Sikoti Margret, Ayikoru Jackline, Akello Harriet, Laker Fiona Gladys, Wolters Maria K, Awor Silvia, Pebolo Francis Pebalo, Bongomin Felix
Department of Reproductive Health, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, P.O. BOX 166, Gulu, Uganda.
St. Mary's Hospital Lacor, P.O.BOX 180, Gulu, Uganda.
Contracept Reprod Med. 2024 Oct 31;9(1):54. doi: 10.1186/s40834-024-00313-8.
Female Healthcare Workers (FHCWs) play a crucial role in advocating for, delivering modern contraceptive methods (MCM) to reproductive-age women and potential users. Despite the high frequency of women seeking healthcare annually, less than half receive adequate contraceptive counseling and services. Investigating FHCWs' adherence to these practices and understanding the obstacles they encounter is essential. This study aimed to explore challenges with utilization of MCM among FHCWs at the two tertiary teaching hospitals in Northern Uganda.
We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study employing a qualitative approach at St. Mary's Hospital Lacor (SMHL) and Gulu Regional Referral Hospital (GRRH), Northern Uganda. Qualitative data were explored using the principles of descriptive phenomenology to gain deeper insights into the experiences of twenty (20) FHCWs.
Findings revealed various challenges faced by FHCWs, including patient barriers such as religious beliefs, contraceptive myths, fear of side effects, and provider barriers like lack of knowledge, training, and discomfort. Additionally, health system barriers like limited time and competing priorities were identified.
Female Healthcare workers experience challenges with utilization of MCM. Efforts should focus on enhancing contraceptive services, particularly in faith-based facilities and among married individuals. Besides, addressing perceived barriers at the patient, provider, and system levels through comprehensive health education, ensuring method availability, and provider training is imperative.
女性医护人员在倡导并为育龄妇女及潜在使用者提供现代避孕方法方面发挥着关键作用。尽管每年有大量女性寻求医疗保健服务，但不到一半的人能获得充分的避孕咨询和服务。调查女性医护人员对这些做法的依从性并了解她们所遇到的障碍至关重要。本研究旨在探讨乌干达北部两家三级教学医院的女性医护人员在使用现代避孕方法方面面临的挑战。
我们在乌干达北部的圣玛丽医院拉科尔分院（SMHL）和古卢地区转诊医院（GRRH）采用定性方法进行了一项描述性横断面研究。运用描述现象学原理对定性数据进行探究，以更深入了解二十（20）名女性医护人员的经历。
研究结果揭示了女性医护人员面临的各种挑战，包括患者方面的障碍，如宗教信仰、避孕误区、对副作用的恐惧，以及医护人员方面的障碍，如知识不足、培训缺乏和不适感。此外，还发现了卫生系统方面的障碍，如时间有限和工作重点相互冲突。
女性医护人员在使用现代避孕方法方面面临挑战。应努力加强避孕服务，特别是在基于信仰的机构和已婚人群中。此外，通过全面的健康教育、确保避孕方法的可及性以及对医护人员进行培训来解决患者、医护人员和系统层面所察觉到的障碍至关重要。
