Answer the following questions and post your answers here. Cite references if possible.
1. What do you think are the reasons of high unmet need of FP in the Philippines?
The implementation of family planning programs is influenced by the existence of high levels of unmet need for family planning. The unmet need for family planning refers to a discrepancy between expressed fertility goals and contraceptive practice. In the Philippines, it was found that the following reasons contribute to the high unmet need for family planning (Barrett et al., 2014; Casterline et al., 1997; Machiyama et al., 2017):
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Weak or inconsistent or ambivalent fertility preferences. This refers to a state of conflicting desires about having a child that is characteristic of particular individuals and/or life stages. Women with an unmet need are more weakly attached to their expressed preferences. Insufficient motivation to avoid pregnancy prevents women to overcome even minimal barriers to practicing contraception.
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Perceived low risk of getting pregnant. Contraception may not be practiced because women may consider themselves to be at no or low risk of conceiving, no matter what reproductive preferences they bear. This includes permanent factors, such as infertility, and temporary factors such as lactational amenorrhea, sexual abstinence, and low coital frequency. These factors often prompt the perceived low risk of pregnancy and hence, the inconsistent use of contraception.
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Perceived effects on health of contraception among both husbands and wives. The fear of the side effects of contraception ranks as one of the most important identified obstacles to use among couples.
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Partner-related fertility preferences. It was found that the fertility preferences of the partners of women rank as one of the most important causal factors for the unmet need for family planning. The preferences, attitudes to contraception, and communication of their partner may influence the decision-making autonomy of a woman. The opposition of the partner to contraception, in general, can be a barrier to use.
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Public opinion on family planning. Among those who wish to stop childbearing, the perception that contraception is not socially acceptable acts as a significant barrier to use. Especially in the Philippines, which is a predominantly religious country, the public opinion on family planning is heavily influenced by religious beliefs. The official stance of the Roman Catholic Church is in absolute opposition to the use of artificial methods of contraception, and the Church has put sustained pressure on individual governments and other actors to prevent pro-contraceptive actions in the international arena. These beliefs, in turn, may affect the acceptance of the family with regard to contraceptive use.
2. What are ways you can suggest to increase the practice of FP in the country? Give least 1-2 suggestions.
In order to increase the practice of family planning in the country, the following actions can be taken (Belanger & Mutunga, 2016; Jack, 2017):
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Educate people about sexual and reproductive health. This helps create awareness among families in making safe sexual praxtices. It helps in the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and it further increases positive pregnancy outcomes. This could help dispel misconceptions surrounding reproductive health.
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Coordinate with religious leaders. Many religious leaders are proving increasingly open to the argument that sexual and reproductive health for women is essential for community welfare. Little by little, fighting early marriage and encouraging spacing of children is becoming more expected. Given that the Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country, the influence of clerics can be pivotal in attaining a wider support for programs concerning reproductive health.
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Strengthen the health system. Political and financial commitment are needed in the provision of quality reproductive health care. Domestic resources should be dedicated to contraception to foster an enabling environment ensuring the sexual and reproductive health and rights for women and girls all around the country.
References:
Barrett, J. B., DaVanzo, J., Ellison, C. G., & Grammich, C. (2014). Religion and attitudes toward family planning issues among US adults. Review of Religious Research, 56(2), 161-188.
Belanger, E. & Mutunga, A. (2016). 4 ways to strengthen family planning programs. https://www.devex.com/news/4-ways-to-strengthen-family-planning-programs-88811
Casterline, J. B., Perez, A. E., & Biddlecom, A. E. (1997). Factors underlying unmet need for family planning in the Philippines. Studies in family planning, 173-191.
Jack, A. (2017). Six ways to increase uptake of family planning. https://www.ft.com/content/12d24648-c565-11e7-b30e-a7c1c7c13aab
Machiyama, K., Casterline, J. B., Mumah, J. N., Huda, F. A., Obare, F., Odwe, G., ... & Cleland, J. (2017). Reasons for unmet need for family planning, with attention to the measurement of fertility preferences: protocol for a multi-site cohort study. Reproductive health, 14(1), 1-11.