Alomair, Noura;
Alageel, Samah;
Davies, Nathan;
Bailey, Julia;
(2023)
Muslim women’s views and experiences of family planning in Saudi Arabia: a qualitative study.
BMC Women's Health
, 23
(1)
, Article 625. 10.1186/s12905-023-02786-2.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Islamic beliefs are associated with decreased contraceptive use compared to other religions, and Muslim women's contraceptive needs are often unmet. Research is needed to provide an in-depth understanding of the complex set of barriers to Muslim women's contraceptive use. Therefore, we aimed to explore Muslim women's awareness and experiences with family planning in Saudi Arabia and investigate barriers to contraceptive use and access to family planning. METHODS: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with women in a public hospital, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between January and June 2019. Data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-eight women participated in the study. Women's contraceptive awareness was limited to two methods. Women expressed positive attitudes towards family planning and did not believe it is forbidden in Islam. Barriers to contraception use included lack of knowledge, misconceptions, fear of side effects, family and community and social norms. Many women expressed that they have the right to use contraception, even if their husbands disapprove. Our findings show that healthcare providers rarely offered contraceptive advice, even when requested. Healthcare providers often prescribe oral contraceptives without offering information on other methods available. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that education plays a fundamental role in reproductive autonomy. Men's role in family planning should be encouraged through sharing reproductive responsibility and supporting women's contraceptive choices. Efforts should be directed towards improving women's awareness of different methods of contraception.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Muslim women’s views and experiences of family planning in Saudi Arabia: a qualitative study |
| Location: | England |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1186/s12905-023-02786-2 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02786-2 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. The images or other third-party material in this article are included in the Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in the credit line; if the material is not included under the Creative Commons license, users will need to obtain permission from the license holder to reproduce the material. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
| Keywords: | Attitudes, Contraception, Family planning, Islam, Muslim women, Qualitative study, Male, Humans, Female, Family Planning Services, Islam, Saudi Arabia, Contraception, Contraceptives, Oral, Contraception Behavior |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health > Primary Care and Population Health |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10182552 |
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