The 1998 Philippines National Demographic Health Survey found that "side effects" and "health concerns" were the most common reason given by women for discontinuting a contraceptive method when they did not wish to become pregnant. Using in-depth interviews with couples and family planning providers, group discussions and observations of client-provider interactions, this community-based study explores these stated reasons for discontinuation by examining the patterns of contraceptive use among 80 Filipino couples. Both patterns of method change and the day to day logistics of use are described. These patterns are contextualized and explained in terms of couple relations, understandings of the methods, the body and experience, community-clinic and provider-client relations, and, the broader social dynamics of the recently decentralized health care system in the Philippines. Three strategies for improving the quality of family planning services are recommended based on the study findings.
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe the social and cultural processes of daily family life that lead Filipino women to discontinue contraceptive methods when they do not wish to become pregnant. 2. Articulate differences between the "biological" and the "socio-cultural" body and how they are manifest in client-provider interactions. 3. List three strategies for retaining new and continuing contraceptive clients
Keywords: Quality of Care,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.