Exploring barriers to LARC utilization among the pastoralist women in southern Ethiopia: Qualitative study approach, 2024

Abstract

Background Ensuring comprehensive access to family planning improves gender equality, empowers women, and, eventually, reduces poverty. However, in the pastoralist community, women were rooted in strong cultural and religious perspectives that promoted many children, discouraged the use of FP, had high male dominance, and had limited control over their life, including the use of FP. Objective To explore the barriers to LARC utilization among pastoralist women in southern Ethiopia. Methods This study used a qualitative descriptive study design and included thirty-three pastoralist women for focus group discussions and twelve key informants for IDI, who were purposefully selected from three pastoral districts. The participants were interviewed and explored the primary barriers to using LARCs. The principal researcher led the interview via a semi structured interview guide that allowed for flexibility in exploring issues aided by audio tape. The approach included a broad inductive thematic analysis, with significant concepts derived from transcripts. Results In this study, there are many barriers to LARC utilization organized into five themes, including myths and misconception (perceived side effects, FP is not suitable for women who work intensively and carry heavy objects and travel long distances), the desire to have many children (children are wealth and Gods gifts), religious belief, distances of health facilities and husband objection. Conclusion and recommendations Information education communication should be provided to address myths and misconceptions about the LARC during the FP intervention for pastoralist women via HEW, HCP, media, and community education. There is a need to enhance social opportunities by involving religious leaders and partners in decision-making and providing health information and counseling to religious leaders and couples in the community through HEW. As myths and misconceptions about LARC use emanate from a variety of concerns, this study may not cover all of them; therefore, future research is needed to investigate additional myths and misconceptions concerning contraception use.