East African Health Research Journal

The basis for better health policy and practice

Factors Influencing Uptake of Family Planning Among Women of Reproductive Age in Public Health Facilities of Juba County, South Sudan

  • Abdalla MajokInstitute of Pharmacy Technicians, Ministry of Health, Juba, South Sudan
  • Shiferaw Mitiku-TSchool of Commerce, College of Business and Economics, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
  • Joseph Lune NgenziEAC Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization and Health Supply Chain Management, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
  • Thomas BizimanaEAC Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization and Health Supply Chain Management, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
  • Jean d’amour HabagusengaEAC Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization and Health Supply Chain Management, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
  • Gaspard Nelly UwumuremyiEAC Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization and Health Supply Chain Management, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
  • Ezbon WAparyDepartment of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Juba, Juba, South Sudan.

Abstract

Background: Family planning uptake among women of reproductive age remains critically low in South Sudan despite national commitments and investments in reproductive health services. Evidence shows a contraceptive prevalence rate of only 4.7%, high unmet need, and elevated maternal mortality. However, limited context-specific evidence exists on determinants of family planning utilization in public health facilities in Juba County.
Objective: This study seeks to explore factors that influence family planning uptake in public health facilities of Juba County.
Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study design was employed, and data were collected from April to May 2024, using structured questionnaires from a total of 397 women of reproductive age in public healthcare facilities of Juba County, South Sudan. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The factors that were statistically associated with uptake of FP at bivariate Chi-square level of analysis entered multivariable analytical model.
Results: Of the women of reproductive age participated, the response rate was 99.3%, majority were aged from 30 to 39 years (45.60%), majority were married. The model precisely revealed 89.9% of the women had used FP methods from the served one (35.5%). Duration of the marriage of 6 to 10 years were 17.5 times more likely to have utilized the available FP at health facilities than those with marriage duration of less than 1 year (P=.110). Those who disagreed that their family/spouse prevents using the FP were 16 times more likely to use the available FP than the reference group (P=.008). Those who disagreed that transport from home to the health facility was expensive were 5 times more likely to use the available FP methods than those strongly agree (P=1.000). Those who disagreed no diseases could be due to use of FP were more likely to use FP (OR 28.06, (P<.001)
Conclusion: Family planning utilization among women of reproductive age was high and significantly influenced by spousal support, transportation affordability, and perceptions of health risks. Strengthening community awareness, male partner involvement, and access to affordable reproductive health services is recommended to further improve utilization.

Issue
Vol. 10 No. 2 (2026): East African Health Research Journal
Section
Original Articles
Published
2026-11-04
DOI
https://doi.org/10.24248/eahrj.v10i2.343