Author(s)

Eric Manirakiza, Ruben Niyonsaba, Gentille Nyinawumuntu, Joseph Nsabimana, Emmanuel Gasaba^*

Faculty of Health Sciences, Hope Africa University, Bujumbura, Burundi.

Introduction: Family planning is an important service for everyone and contributes to the protection of women from unwanted pregnancies. In Burundi, it remains at a low rate due to different factors such as fear of side effects, low education level, and notably religious guidance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and practice regarding family planning among Christians pregnant women of Gihanga attending antenatal care at vyizigiro Health center. Methods: This cross-sectional study of Christians pregnant women attending antenatal care was conducted at Vyizigiro health center of Gihanga, Burundi in May 2021. The data were collected on a small sheet done in English, and translated into Kirundi’s local language. In this study, were included all women fulfilled all criteria, and were excluded from all impregnated women who were not Christians and refused to participate in the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: In the current study, among 129 pregnant women who attended antenatal care at Vyizigiro Health center in the period of 1 to 30 October 2020, 118 of them were interviewed. The study found that the participants have low knowledge regarding family planning as participants scored less than 50% in all items assessed for knowledge and its practice was hindered by religious guidance (41.7%), while others refused modern contraceptives for fear of side effects (13%), lack of sufficient information about it (7.4%) and 5.6% were denied by their husband. Conclusion: This study found a low knowledge and practice regarding family planning among the Christians pregnant women of Gihanga attending antenatal care at Vyizigiro health center due to their religious beliefs, fear of side effects, and lack of sufficient information or their husband who don’t want family planning services.

Family Planning, Christians, Pregnant Women, Religious Guidance

Manirakiza, E. , Niyonsaba, R. , Nyinawumuntu, G. , Nsabimana, J. and Gasaba, E. (2022) Evaluation of Knowledge and Practice regarding Family Planning among Christians Pregnant Women of Gihanga Attending Antenatal Careat Vyizigiro Health Center, Bubanza, Burundi. Open Journal of Nursing, 12, 363-375. doi: 10.4236/ojn.2022.125025.