Common Family Planning Stereotypes and Postpartum Family Planning Uptake in Indonesia

Siti Nurul Quomariyah, Jhpiego
Anne Schuster , University of Southampton
Lindsay Breithaupt, Jhpiego
Elaine Charurat, Jhpiego
Megan Christofield, Jhpiego
Celia Karp, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Sara Kennedy

Background: Indonesia’s modern contraceptive prevalence rate has remained around 57% for the last decade. This paper explores one possible cause: family planning (FP) misconceptions and stereotypes. Methods: We analyze results from 1,540 women interviewed immediately postpartum at health facilities in Indonesia, along with data from five Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). We present descriptive and logistic regression results on FP misconceptions and postpartum uptake. Qualitative results present common themes on barriers to using PPFP. Results: Most women believed FP could cause weight gain. Between 20-25% believed that FP was dangerous to a woman’s health or that it could harm a woman’s womb. Results were similar among FGD participants. However, a belief in more FP misconceptions and stereotypes was not significantly associated with postpartum uptake. Conclusions: Although FP misconceptions and stereotypes were common, their direct association with uptake remains unclear. Future analysis is needed clarify the relationship and explore temporal change.

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 Presented in Session 10. Fertility, Family Planning, Sexual Behavior & Reproductive Health 2