Factors influencing female parental approval of contraceptive use among adolescent girls in Kinondoni district, Dar es salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Use of modern contraceptive methods among women of reproductive age in Tanzania is low. This contributes to the increase of unintended pregnancy in the country. The impact is significantly demonstrable in the form unintended adolescent pregnancy which has increased in number from 23% in 2010 to 27% in 2015. Parental approval of contraceptive use by adolescent girls is among the strategies proposed for reducing unwanted pregnancies among girls. However, little is known about the extent of female parents’ approval of contraceptive use among adolescent girls in Tanzania. Aim of the study The aim of the study was to determine factors influencing parental approval of contraceptive use among adolescent girls. Materials and methods A quantitative approach utilizing cross-sectional study design involving 202 female parents and guardians living with adolescent girls aged 10-19 years was conducted in Kinondoni District in Dar es Salaam. Analysis of quantitative data was conducted using SPSS version 20 through descriptive, Pearson chi square test and regression analysis methods. In descriptive analysis, frequency measures were used to provide descriptive characteristics of the study population. The degree of association between the variables was tested by using Pearson chi square test with the value of p>0.05 at 95% confidence interval was considered to be statistically significant. Results A total of 202 female parents were interviewed where only 25.7% reported to approve contraceptive use among adolescent girls. Parents aged ≤ 35 years (p=0.04) were less likely to approve contraceptive use among adolescent girls than other age categories. Parental communication on sexual and reproductive health issues with adolescents is a significantly related to parental approval whereby one-third (31.2%) of respondents reported to have discussed sexual and reproductive health related issues with their adolescent daughter covering topics such as HIV/AIDS, STI, sexual relationships, and teenage pregnancy. Very few participants talked with their adolescent girls about abortion and family planning. Parents’ level of education was also a significant factor for parental approval of contraceptive use among adolescent girls (p=0.04). Conclusion: This study revealed, female parental approval on contraceptive among adolescents was relatively low and condom was the contraceptive method recommended by the respondent who approved contraceptive use among adolescents.