My husband will love me more if I give birth to more children: Rural women’s perceptions and beliefs on family planning services utilization in a low resource setting

ConclusionLack of adequate family planning information; beliefs on and use of traditional/unconventional methods; gender roles expectations that influence decision making and limit women’s choices of family planning methods and; socio-cultural and religious beliefs were main perceived barriers for family planning utilization in this study. Mitigation of these barriers depends on the sustained engagement of key stakeholders including religious and community leaders. Health education must be designed to adapt socio-cultural and religious doctrines with benefits of family planning and health outcomes. Health delivery services must also address women’s’ prevailing perceptions and beliefs with emphasize on the partner communication and their encouragement of men’s’ involvement in reproductive health services utilization.
Source: International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences - Category: African Health Source Type: research