Publications

The provision and utilization of Family Planning (FP) services play a pivotal role in not onlysafeguarding women's health but also significantly enhancing the overall well-being of theirpartners, children, and the wider societal fabric. Studies have estimated that optimizing FPservices could potentially save 32% of maternal lives and 10% of child lives. In light of thesecritical implications, this research delves into the multifaceted factors hindering women'saccess to Family Planning Services within the precincts of the Kween district. Employing across-sectional descriptive study design, this investigation focuses on women aged between18-49 years. Data collection involved survey questionnaires administered to a strategicallysampled group of 40 women. The quantitative data underwent meticulous analysis utilizingSPSS version 20, while qualitative data was subjected to content and thematic analysis,presenting findings in a verbatim format. The study revealed that while 47.5% of women wereutilizing modern FP methods, encompassing pills, implants, and injectables, there existed anotable unmet contraceptive need of 25%, coupled with a 22.5% contraceptivediscontinuation rate. The primary deterrent to accessing modern FP methods stemmed fromacceptability issues entrenched in prevailing myths, notably the erroneous beliefsassociating Family Planning with infertility and the culturally unfavorable birth of twins.Moreover, the discontinuation of modern FP methods predominantly stemmed from reportedside effects such as excessive bleeding, backaches, and headaches. Additionally, the researchunderscored a correlation between the utilization of modern FP methods, women'seducational attainment, and demographic factors like the number of living male children andparticipation in polygamous marriages. Intriguingly, religious affiliations had a limitedimpact on FP method utilization, as women demonstrated a tendency to contravene religiousdoctrines to access FP services despite religious opposition. This study illuminates criticalbarriers obstructing women's access to and sustained use of modern FP methods in theKween district, emphasizing the urgency for tailored interventions addressing socio-culturalmisconceptions, side-effect management, and demographic sensitivities to foster moreinclusive and effective FP service delivery in similar contexts.Keywords: Family Planning, Contraceptives, Injectables, Implants.