Barriers to Modern Contraceptive Practices among Selected Married Women in a Public University in Malaysia

Abstract

In Malaysia, only 30% of the married women use modern contraceptive methods. Low usage of contraceptive methods, results in high rates of unwanted pregnancies and its consequence which includes; psychological problems physical health and unsafe abortion. The main purpose of this study is to understand the barriers of modern contraceptive practices among women in University Putra Malaysia. This study was carried out through two main research questions: 1.What is the women's perceptions of modern contraceptive methods? 2. Why women do not use modern contraceptive methods? A qualitative research method was used for exploring misconceptions and barriers to contraceptive use among married female staff in University Putra Malaysia (UPM). The data was collected using the non probability, purposive sampling method, from 6 women by face to face interviews, which was also audio-recorded. The records were then transcribed verbatim and analyzed consecutively. This study finding showed there were personal, cultural, and health system barriers to modern contraceptive use. The women have been surrounded by fears, and misconceptions which serve as obstacles to initiation and continuation of contraceptive use. Strong socio-cultural norms and health services barriers including negative response of service providers, and low male family planning activities influence contraceptive use negatively. This study suggests that the promotion of modern contraceptive methods should be considered in women and men educational programs. Further studies should examine health providers' views and quality of family planning services.

Current Status and Correlates of Modern Family Planning Utilization in Hard to Reach Ethnic Minorities: The Case of Gumuz, Northwest Ethiopia

“…In the present study, those women who had at least primary education had good attitude to modern contraceptive use than those women who could not read and write. Studies elsewhere revealed a similar pattern of relationship between educational status and maternal health service including family planning utilization [30] [31].…”

“…In Muslim dominated countries such as Pakistan [28], Egypt [29] and Malaysia [30] the justification not to use family planning is religious. In the present study, region was not a statistically significant factor.…”

Family Planning Use Among Women Attending a Health Care Facility in Rural Ghana

“…Neoclassical theory suggests that an investment in human capital increases and as more women participate in the labour market, the fertility behaviour of households is bound to change, in favour of fewer children [32]. From the finding, 56.4% of respondents had ever used the calendar method as a natural family planning method [9]. It is, however, inconsistent with findings where women did not know of the calendar method as a natural family planning method [4].…”

“…Again, it plays an important role in decreasing maternal mortality [8]. The realization of the important role of family planning methods and the speed with which this knowledge was put to practice worldwide is perhaps the most remarkable achievements [9]. This notwithstanding, people in lower income economies are still battling with the rapid and uncontrolled increase in population [10].…”

Exploring the Socio-Cultural Barriers to Modern Contraceptive Use among Pakistani Women

“…For many women and couples around the world, religious, cultural, gender, and social norms prevent the use of family planning (Anonymous, 2011). The researchers were particularly interested to identify the socio cultural barriers to use the modern family planning practices.In Pakistan, several obstacles identified to the use of modern contraceptives including; husbands' opposition, fear of side effects, health concerns, and dissatisfaction with sexual sensation when using them (Najafi, 2011). In particular, women were ten times more likely to have used a family planning service if her husband approved (Stephenson, 2004).…”