| dc.description.abstract | Background: There is increase in the numbers of incarcerated women in prison system. Many of
these women are of reproductive age with many reproductive health related problems. Under
such circumstances women in prisons need to access and use reproductive health services. There
are prison system related challenges in organizing these services yet even where these services
have been organized and made available, utilization of such services among women in prison is
low in many settings in developing countries. This study assessed the factors influencing
utilization of reproductive health services among imprison women in Uganda.
Methods: The study used analytical cross sectional design that used both quantitative and
qualitative data collection approaches among female inmates of at least six months old. Sample
size was determined using hyper-geometric formula. Questionnaire used as data collection
methods and researcher administered structured questionnaires as data collection tools. Stratified
random sampling technique was used. Collected data was entered into and analyzed using SPSS
version 20 at univariate, bivariate and multivariate levels. Univariate results were presented into
frequencies and percentages. Bivariate analysis used chi-square/fishers and binary regression at
95% Confidence interval with subsequent chi-square/fisher’s value, Odds ratios. Probability
values less than 0.05 were considered significant and multivariate analysis done for significant
variables.
Results: Nearly half 80(44.7%) of the imprisoned women were aged 21-30 years. There were 71
(39.66%) catholic and 54(30.17%) protestant women in the prisons. Less than a quarter (22.35%)
of the women were married and 59(32.96%) were single and 92 (51.4%) and (72, 40.2%)
attained primary and secondary education. Half 51.4% of the women in the prison received
Reproductive Health Services which include; Antenatal care services, delivery services,
Postnatal care services, HIV counseling and testing, HIV treatment and care, post abortion care
and cervical cancer screening.
Bivariate analysis using Chi-square/Fisher’s exact test found that education level (p=0.047),
number of sexual partners engaged with (p=0.049), number of children (p=0.037), accessing
fansidar (p<.001), bed nets (p<.001), provision of nutritional supplements (p=0.011), counseling
before HIV test (p=0.017) and regular drug use (p=0.029) significantly influenced utilization of
RHSs.
Multivariate analysis showed that women who had no child (AOR=42.32, 95%CI: .1.73-1037,
p=0.022) significantly increased utilization of RHS. On the other hand, those provided with bed
nets (AOR=0.12, 95%CI: .04-.35, p<.001), nutritional supplements (AOR=0.39, 95%CI: .19-78,
p=.009) and counseling before HIV test (AOR=0.38, 95%CI: .17-86, p=.020) significantly had
lower odds for using reproductive health services.
Conclusion: Adequate use of RHSs remained moderate in the prisons. There is need to
strengthen health promotion and education to inmates on sexual and reproductive health issues.
Encourage in-mates to avoid multiple sexual partners and seek timely services, advocate for girl
child education and sexual health to prevent early sexual practices. | en_US |
