Harrington, Relmah, Redman-MacLaren, Michelle, Harvey, Nichole, Puia, Mike, Carlisle, Karen, and Larkins, Sarah (2020) Barriers and enablers to using contraceptives for family planning at Atoifi Hospital, East Kwaio, Solomon Islands. Pacific Journal of Reproductive Health, 1 (10). pp. 586-597.

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Abstract

Background: The use of family planning contraceptives helps improve women’s lives and prevent maternal deaths. Globally, maternal mortality has been significantly reduced between 1990 and 2015. However, the gains have not been evenly spread with the majority of deaths still occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Solomon Islands, a low-income nation in the Pacific, faces the continued challenge of low contraceptive use and unmet needs for family planning. There is also still a gap between knowledge about contraceptives and their actual use. This study explores the barriers and enablers to family planning, including contraceptive use at Atoifi Hospital, Solomon Islands and presents strategies that may increase contraceptive use.

Methods: In this qualitative study, semi-structured face-to-face interviews were facilitated with family planning nurses, contraceptive users and non-users to explore the barriers and enablers for women and men accessing family planning, including contraceptive use. A total of nine interviews were conducted. Results showed a link between delivery of family planning service with contraceptive use, as represented by four themes: availability and accessibility of contraceptives; knowledge and beliefs; socio-cultural expectation of women; and fear.

Conclusion: Context is a key factor to incorporate successful strategies to fulfill unmet family planning needs and increase usage. This small study revealed significant barriers to contraceptive use were linked to where and how family planning service is delivered. The service would benefit from greater attention to the cultural context, gender and privacy issues. Services in Pacific Island countries may also benefit from the lessons learnt in Solomon Islands.

Item ID:	64386
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	2423-0820
Keywords:	family planning, contraception, Solomon Islands, barriers, enablers
Related URLs:	Publisher
Copyright Information:	Copyright: © 2020 Harrington. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Funders:	Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Date Deposited:	17 Sep 2020 04:15
FoR Codes:	45 INDIGENOUS STUDIES > 4516 Pacific Peoples health and wellbeing > 451611 Pacific Peoples mothers and babies health and wellbeing @ 100%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9203 Indigenous Health > 920309 Pacific Peoples Health - Health System Performance (incl. Effectiveness of Interventions) @ 100%
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