Objective: To determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of artificial contraceptive use among women of reproductive age and associated social demographic factors.
Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at Mwananyamala district hospital which included approximately 350 women attending antenatal clinic. Data was collected by structured questionnaires and analyzed by SPSS version 20.
Results: The majority of the respondents were women aged 26-30 years, his category presented 49.2% of the respondents, followed by 15-25 years which were 112 (35.8%) and the least 36-49 years had 47 respondents equal to 15% of the study population. Respondents 296 equal to 96.4% had knowledge of artificial contraceptives and 17 respondents (5.4%). 125 respondents (39.9%) reported to have been used oral contraceptives and the remaining 188 (60.1%) were not using any methods of contraception prior to conception. Out of those 39.9, oral contraceptives 30 respondents (9.6%),condoms 22 respondents (7.0%), injectable 41 respondents (13.1%), implants 17 respondents (5.4%), intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCD) 15 respondents (4.8%).
Conclusion: Although the level of knowledge about artificial contraception is quite satisfactory the level of contraceptives us was not optimal at Mwananyamala hospital only 125 respondents(39.9%) were using artificial contraceptives the rest 188(60.1%) respondents were not using the reason being the adverse side effects, husband’s disapproval religious beliefs and need to conceive.