Publication: Side-Effects and Social Norms Influencing Family Planning Use in Nepal
Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Effective family planning (FP) programs promote modern contraceptives and
help individuals achieve their reproductive goals. Despite Nepal’s relatively high
contraceptive prevalence rate (50%), 27% of married women have an unmet need
for FP, and almost half of Nepalese women give birth by the age of 20. This formative
study explored the factors that influence the use of contraceptives in Nepal.
Objective
To provide information about barriers to family planning use, general fertility
awareness, and barriers to family planning use among difficult to reach groups
communities.
Method
This qualitative study was implemented in five districts in Nepal. A total of 36 focus
group discussions, 18 participatory group discussions, and 144 in-depth interviews
were conducted. Participants included young married women, men and FP service
providers in eight village development committees and two municipalities. The
interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed in Nepali and then translated into
English. Data was organized using Atlas Ti 7 and coded using a thematic analysis.
Result
Four key themes emerged from the analyses: 1) limited knowledge on fertility
awareness and family planning methods, 2) religious-cultural factors including
social norms impediments contraceptives use, 3) fear of side-effects, myths and
misconceptions about modern contraceptives, and 4) structural barriers such as
limited family planning services, and lack of same gender providers make it difficult
for many women to access modern contraceptives services.
Conclusion
Continuing Nepal’s recent gains in contraceptives prevalence rate will require strong
educational interventions addressing fertility awareness, social norms around
son preference, dispelling fear of side-effects while increasing the family planning
method-mix. Health service providers should continue counseling clients on the
management of potential side-effects and ensure accurate information about
modern contraceptives.
KEY WORDS
Contraceptive prevalence rate, Family planning, Fertility awareness
Description
Wasti SP,1 Simmons R,2 Limbu N,1 Chipanta S,2 Haile L,2 Velcoff J,2 Shattuck D2
1Institute for Reproductive Health
Georgetown University, USA
Based in Save the Children,
Kathmandu, Nepal.
2Institute for Reproductive Health,
Georgetown University, USA
Keywords
Contraceptive prevalence rate, Family planning, Fertility awareness