FACTORS DETERMINING IMPLEMENTATION OF MANUAL VACUUM ASPIRATION SERVICES AMONG HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN KAKUMIRO HEALTH CENTRE IV KAKUMIRO DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background

In Uganda, out of 314,300 abortions that occur approximately 93,300 women are treated for complications of unsafe abortion mainly by using manual vacuum aspiration (MVA). However, poor and rural women whose access is constrained by infrastructural and financial limitations cannot receive safe post-abortal MVA services. The main aim of the study was to establish factors determining the implementation of manual vacuum aspiration services among healthcare workers in Kakumiro Health Centre IV Kakumiro District

 Methods

This was cross-sectional descriptive that employed both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Using a purposive sampling method, 32 respondents were selected and a structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The collected data was analyzed and presented into tables, graphs, and tables using Microsoft Excel.

 Results

The study showed that midwife factors were 22(68.7%) had received training about performing MVA, 19(59.4%) had experience of 1 – 5 years in performing MVA, 17(53.1%) never had confidence in MVA and 26(81.2%) were not willing to perform MVA. Health facility factors revealed that 23(71.9%) reported the availability of MVA equipment sometimes, 23(76.7%) reported the presence of faulty MVA equipment, 21(65.6%) reported the absence of strong opioid drugs and 24(75%) reported presences of inadequate staff for performing MVA.

Conclusion  

Both individual and health facility-related factors hindered utilization of MVA.

 Recommendation

Strategies are needed to enhance the utilization of MVA like offering training, constant supply, and recruitment of more midwives to offer MVA.