The experiences of women utilising family planning services in Otjiwarongo district, Namibia
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Date
2008
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Family planning is conscious and deliberate process of determining the number and interval between the children one bears. It incorporates reliable methods of contraception combined with the use of fertility awareness methods. In Namibia, family planning services are freely available in all public health facilities throughout the country. Although widely understood and used, family planning has not yet produced the desired results of reducing unwanted and high-risk pregnancies
It is against this background that the researcher interviewed women attending family planning services in Otjiwarongo district to explore and describe their experiences when utilising these services
This study is relevant and significant because it will supply managers at all levels of health care delivery with valuable information about the quality of the services being provided
The study was qualitative in nature and descriptive in design to facilitate eliciting the experiences women have with family planning services over a period of time. To be included in the sample, women had to be long-term users of family planning services as evidenced by continual visits to health care facilities
This study revealed wide variations of women's experiences with, and perceptions of the family planning services offered in Otjiwarongo district. Despite the fact that some women were generally satisfied with the friendly atmosphere and the respect that they received, some women expressed their dissatisfaction about the services
Most women in the study expressed satisfaction with regard to information and mechanisms to ensure continuity, the availability of contraceptive supplies and the fact that services were offered free of charge
However, findings from this study further revealed that health care workers sometimes do not receive the women, especially the youth in friendly manner and treat them with disrespect. Some women indicated that they were not given chances to express their feelings about contraceptives and family planning in general. It was also revealed that women attending family planning services did not receive adequate information regarding different contraceptive methods, their contra-indications and side effects. Also featuring prominently in this study were reports that respect for privacy and confidentiality was not observed by health care workers, while some expressed dissatisfaction with long waiting hours at clinics
Based on these findings, the researcher recommends that a client-centred orientation and adolescent friendly family planning services be adopted as the most effective approach to counselling and providing information to clients. To ensure informed choice, health workers should provide accurate, clear and useful information and advice about reproductive health, family planning and correct use of contraceptives methods, while taking privacy and confidentiality in consideration
Family planning services should be part of an integrated and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health programs. To ensure maximum access to all, a community-based distribution should be introduced to deliver family planning services to communities in remote areas.
Family planning is conscious and deliberate process of determining the number and interval between the children one bears. It incorporates reliable methods of contraception combined with the use of fertility awareness methods. In Namibia, family planning services are freely available in all public health facilities throughout the country. Although widely understood and used, family planning has not yet produced the desired results of reducing unwanted and high-risk pregnancies
It is against this background that the researcher interviewed women attending family planning services in Otjiwarongo district to explore and describe their experiences when utilising these services
This study is relevant and significant because it will supply managers at all levels of health care delivery with valuable information about the quality of the services being provided
The study was qualitative in nature and descriptive in design to facilitate eliciting the experiences women have with family planning services over a period of time. To be included in the sample, women had to be long-term users of family planning services as evidenced by continual visits to health care facilities
This study revealed wide variations of women's experiences with, and perceptions of the family planning services offered in Otjiwarongo district. Despite the fact that some women were generally satisfied with the friendly atmosphere and the respect that they received, some women expressed their dissatisfaction about the services
Most women in the study expressed satisfaction with regard to information and mechanisms to ensure continuity, the availability of contraceptive supplies and the fact that services were offered free of charge
However, findings from this study further revealed that health care workers sometimes do not receive the women, especially the youth in friendly manner and treat them with disrespect. Some women indicated that they were not given chances to express their feelings about contraceptives and family planning in general. It was also revealed that women attending family planning services did not receive adequate information regarding different contraceptive methods, their contra-indications and side effects. Also featuring prominently in this study were reports that respect for privacy and confidentiality was not observed by health care workers, while some expressed dissatisfaction with long waiting hours at clinics
Based on these findings, the researcher recommends that a client-centred orientation and adolescent friendly family planning services be adopted as the most effective approach to counselling and providing information to clients. To ensure informed choice, health workers should provide accurate, clear and useful information and advice about reproductive health, family planning and correct use of contraceptives methods, while taking privacy and confidentiality in consideration
Family planning services should be part of an integrated and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health programs. To ensure maximum access to all, a community-based distribution should be introduced to deliver family planning services to communities in remote areas.
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Keywords
Birth control, Birth control clinics, Communication in birth control