Factors associated with contraceptive failure in Uganda: Analysis of the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey

Abstract Background Sustained motivation is essential for effective use of contraceptive methods by women in low- and middle-income countries as many women are likely to abandon use of contraceptives especially when they continually experience episodes of failure. We aimed to determine contraceptive failure rates and associated factors among Ugandan women using data from the 2016 Uganda Demographic Health Survey (UDHS). Methods We analyzed data collected by the UDHS conducted in Uganda 2016. All eligible women aged 15 to 49 years at the time of the survey were enrolled. Discontinuation of contraceptive use due to failure within a 5-year period preceding the survey was the dependent variable. Results A total of 18,505 women were included in this study, 70.8% (n=5153) lived in rural areas while 56.9% (n=5153) owned a mobile phone. The mean age of the women was 29.6years (SD 7.6). The overall prevalence of contraceptive failure was 5.6%, and was higher (7.8%) among women aged 25-29 years or had completed secondary education (7.1%). The odds of contraceptive failure was 38% lower in women who had an informed choice on contraceptives compared to those who didn’t [Adjusted Odd ratio, 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.50 – 0.77; p< 0.001]. Conclusion The burden of contraceptive failure among women of reproductive age in Uganda is substantial and significantly varied by socio-demographic characteristics.