FACTORS INFLUENCING CONTRACEPTIVE USE UTILIZATION AMONG YOUNG GIRLS IN NYARUGENGE DISTRICT, RWANDA

Background: Contraceptive utilization among adolescent girls and young adult women in Rwanda remains a public health concern, particularly in Nyarugenge District. The Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS) 2020 reported that 5% of adolescent girls had already begun childbearing. Limited contraceptive utilization, inadequate knowledge, and negative perceptions contribute to early pregnancy among young girls. This study aimed to determine factors influencing contraceptive utilization among young girls attending health centers in Nyarugenge District, Rwanda. Methods: A health facility-based cross-sectional study using a quantitative approach was conducted among young girls aged 15–24 years attending selected health centers in Nyarugenge District from October to December 2024. Cochran’s formula was utilized to determine a sample size of 255 participants. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from previous studies on contraceptive utilization. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 21. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with contraceptive utilization at a 95% confidence interval and p < 0.05. Findings: Overall, 47.3% of respondents reported current contraceptive utilization, while 52.7% were not using any contraceptive method. Adolescent girls and young adult women in wealth category 3 were more likely to utilize contraceptives compared to those in category 1 (AOR = 4.836, 95% CI: 1.682–13.905, p = 0.003). Participants knowledgeable about contraceptives were significantly more likely to utilize them (AOR = 4.272, 95% CI: 1.972–9.254, p < 0.001). Having two or more sexual partners was also significantly associated with contraceptive utilization (AOR = 3.939, 95% CI: 1.897–8.179, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Contraceptive utilization among young girls in Nyarugenge District remains suboptimal. Economic status, contraceptive knowledge, perception, media exposure, number of sexual partners, and smoking behaviour significantly influenced contraceptive utilization.