Exploration of usefulness of family planning methods utilised by women in Kalulushi district, Zambia.
Date
2020
Authors
Muzhinga, Mbashila
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
Family planning has been found to be a very essential tool for sustainable global development. The medical benefits of family planning are immense and have been echoed by many authors. Nonetheless, little is known about the social benefits to women. The purpose of this study was to explore the usefulness of family planning to women in a social context in Kalulushi district. A qualitative enquiry using Case Study design was used. Data was collected from the District Nursing Officer, Providers, and Users of family planning services in three clinics of Kalulushi District. Semi-structured and Focus group interviews were used to collect data from 20 participants. Data was analysed through thematic content analysis. The study revealed that “being in control of one’s fertility” was the primary reason for utilizing family planning services by women. Pregnancy-related complications, a harsh economy and good health outcomes, are secondary factors. The methods of family planning commonly utilized by women in Kalulushi district include short-acting injection Depo-Provera, followed by the Pill. Male and female condoms, long-acting implants (Jadelle and Implanon) and the Intra-Uterine Contraceptive Device are not commonly utilized. Barriers to utilizing family planning methods include drug/commodity stock-outs, inadequate work spaces which compromise privacy, lack of skilled personnel to provide long-term methods, among others. The stock-out of family planning commodities affects users by limiting choice thereby forcing women to utilise the only available methods which in turn compromises quality. The Covid-19 pandemic has compounded the stock out of family planning methods by hampering supply chain. In terms of usefulness, family planning promotes rights particularly, sexual and reproductive health rights of women; is vital for improving women and their household’s health outcomes, and enables women who are the majority in the informal sector, to work and earn incomes that sustain their livelihoods, among others. To ensure client satisfaction, it is therefore important that Kalulushi District Health Management should provide a wide range of family planning methods so that women have choice; staffs who provide family planning services should be trained in long-term family planning service provision; adequate family planning counselling should be integral part of service provision, and last but not the least, providers of family planning should promote long-term family planning methods to counter erratic supply of short-term methods.
Description
Thesis of Master of Science Degree in Counselling.