Access to primary health care family planning services and contraceptive use in disadvantaged women: a qualitative study
Articles > Article · 2020
Authors: Ummahan YÜCEL, Meltem ÇİÇEKLİOĞLU, ZELİHA ASLI ÖCEK, Zeynep Sedef Varol
The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care, Journal Indexed in SCI Expanded, International, WoS, 2020, vol 25, pp 327-333
DOI: 10.1080/13625187.2020.1795119
Summary
OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to provide a deeper understanding of the gender-related determinants and organisational structure of primary health care that shape contraceptive use among disadvantaged women living in a developing Islamic country where family planning services are affected by health care reforms. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted in three disadvantaged neighbourhoods in the metropolitan district of Bornova, Izmir. A purposive sampling method with maximum diversity was used to obtain a study sample of 43 women. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analysed using a coding paradigm of grounded theory. RESULTS: Three themes emerged from the analysis, namely, factors affecting participants' number of children, experiences with using contraceptive methods, and use of family planning services at family health centres. Despite a desire to limit their number of children and a positive view of contraception, women in the study faced gender-related barriers to accessing family planning services. Their statements indicate significant deficiencies in terms of provision of contraception and family planning consultations at family health centres. CONCLUSION: For disadvantaged women living in conservative areas, family planning is a fragile exercise. Gender-sensitive primary care services are essential to ensure access to everyone in the community.