1. What do you think are the reasons for the high unmet need of FP in the Philippines?
High unmet needs for FP in the country are evidenced by women’s lack of use of more effective modern or artificial contraceptives and lack of use of any contraceptive methods at all, despite having a goal to delay pregnancy (Baccay, 2020). Elaborating on the former, traditional FP methods are used more instead in spite of the need for artificial FP ones that may have a more decreased failure rate and increased effectiveness in contraception.
A possible reason for use of traditional methods despite the need for modern ones is fear of experiencing detrimental side effects of artificial contraceptives. According to a study, this was found to be one of the factors that contribute as to why fertility preferences and contraceptive behavior of couples were found to have discrepancies—there is a want to delay/stop pregnancy from occurring but the contraceptive practice is not enough to result in effective family planning (Casterline, Perez, & Biddlecom, 1997). A husband’s fertility preferences also play a role. Another associated explanation behind the unmet need of FP in this study was the excessive costs of contraception. This may be particularly relevant to poor and rural, isolated communities wherein the purchase and use of artificial contraceptives maybe not be affordable or income-friendly.
As for the absence of contraceptive use, a probable cause for this would be perceptions of the women to be at “low risk of conceiving” and the young women’s lack of knowledge on ovulation, menstruation, and pregnancy possibilities concerning these cycles (Casterline, Perez, & Biddlecom, 1997; Latorre, 2019). This may explain why despite having the goal to delay pregnancy, contraception is not being practiced at all—there is either no need to do so because of “low risks” of conception occurring as well as the woman is not aware at all of when pregnancy can or cannot occur.
Proper education, assurance of safe contraceptive use, accessible contraceptives, and improved FP services all play a crucial role in whether the need for family planning is being met or not.
2. What are ways you can suggest to increase the practice of FP in the country? Give least 1-2 suggestions.
- Increase reproductive health education. Misconceptions on contraceptive use should be corrected with reliable and medically sound information. Assurance of safe and effective use of contraceptives, especially the modern/ artificial ones, must also be highlighted. Teaching about the ovulatory cycle and the possibilities of getting pregnant after childbirth and before the return of menstruation must also be included.
- Emphasize the importance of shared responsible parenthood. In family planning programs and reproductive health practices, couples must agree on their preferences on chosen contraceptives or FP methods as well as with regards to fertility. The woman’s health must be considered as well as their financial capability in preparing for the needs of a child.
- Improve access to safe, quality, and affordable contraceptives and implementation of free family planning services. For health teaching and family planning and counseling to occur, isolated areas should be reached out to for the improvement of accessibility. Costs must be lowered to meet the household income of families of different socioeconomic statuses or providing support to poor families may be implemented.
References:
Baccay, K.B. (2020). Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning [PowerPoint Slides]. University of the Philippines Manila Virtual Learning Environment: https://vle.upm.edu.ph/login/index.php
Casterline, J. B., Perez, A. E., & Biddlecom, A. E. (1997). Factors Underlying Unmet Need for Family Planning in the Philippines. Studies in Family Planning, 28(3), 173–191. https://doi.org/10.2307/2137886
Latorre, A.A.E. (2019). Factors Associated with Unmet Need for Family Planning among Young Women in the Philippines. Philippine Journal of Health Research and Development 23(2). https://pjhrd.upm.edu.ph/index.php/main/article/view/276