Barriers Facing Postpartum Family Planning among Women Attending Family Medicine Units in 6th of October City

Abstract

Background: Globally, family planning (FP) is a key life-saving intervention for mothers and their children; Postpartum Family Planning (PPFP) aims to prevent the high risk of unintended and closely spaced pregnancies during the first year following childbirth. Given the high unmet need for family planning during the postpartum period, this has raised the need to identification of the main barriers to provide methods of solutions. One of which is the need to integrate FP information and service provision during post natal care, child health care visits, and all levels of the health system. Objectives: This study aims to measure the rate of PPFP among women attending family medicine units in 6 th October city and to identify the effect of PPFP on pregnancy spacing as well as the main barriers facing its continuation. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional analytic study; it was conducted between July and October 2017 on married women in reproductive age attending three family medicine centers. Data were collected through a structured interviewed questionnaire based on concept definition of Postpartum Family Planning (PPFP) ; the prevention of unintended pregnancy and closely spaced pregnancies through the first 12 months following childbirth Results: About Sixty percent (59.4%) of women were between 25-35 years with a mean age of 30± 6.4 years. The rate of PPFP is 51.8%, more than half of studied women reported that" lack of knowledge on FP" is the main barrier to contraception use, followed by "desire to get more children" 42.2%. Conclusion: Family physicians should be committed to clarify the concept of PPFP aiming at increasing women's awareness and compliance to the best contraceptive methods.

Postpartum family planning among women attending maternal and child health centers in Assiut Governorate, Upper Egypt

“…Moreover, PPFP use was 51.8% among women attending family medicine units in 6th October City, Egypt [ 23 ], and 61.8% among women in Minia District, Egypt [ 24 ]. However, in Alexandria, Egypt, it was 83.7% [ 6 ].…”

“…Egyptian women prefer the IUD as it is the most effective reversible method, does not require self-timing to be remembered, and is easily accessible in PHC units with trained doctors. The use of IUDs was followed by the use of pills as it is convenient with no need for doctor intervention and can be used for short term [ 7 , 23 ]. This is consistent with our results as IUDs followed by oral and injectable contraceptives were the most commonly used methods, while implants and condoms were the least used methods.…”