What do you think are the reasons for the high unmet need of FP in the Philippines?
There are various reasons contributing to the high unmet need of FP in the Philippines. First is the lack of accessibility of Family Planning Services in remote-areas. We have to consider that. As such, the lack of workers in these areas contribute to the high unmet need of FP since the couples either do not have any knowledge about Family planning methods (due to lack of health teaching) or they simply do not have any access to the contraceptive materials and supplies.
The following factors contribute to the high unmet need of family planning in the country:
- Lack of accessibility & affordability. For individuals, partners/couples, and families living in rural or remote areas, accessibility to modern family planning methods is highly limited. Many areas in the country also lack health care workers in their community health centers, or families simply do not have access to these centers or lack visits from community health nurse to discuss family planning. These barriers prevent millions of women from receiving family planning counseling in our country. In addition, the high cost of these contraceptive supplies creates another hurdle for families to jump through. Despite the fact that the RH law provides a more accessible, reasonably-priced, and more affordable than before modern contraceptives, we cannot generalize that all couples will now be able to afford such contraceptives. Other couples consider the purchase of modern contraceptives as an additional financial burden, which leaves them with no choice but to rely on traditional family planning methods, if they use contraception methods at all, rather than spending extra money on more effective modern contraceptives.
- Lack of knowledge and/or level of education attained. Women with unmet FP needs may lack necessary knowledge on the purpose, importance, benefits, or even availability of contraception methods in the first place. Studies across the country reveal that women prefer withdrawal rather than modern contraceptive methods, even though the former have been identified as lacking in effectiveness unless properly and correctly practiced, which can only be achieved through extensive training and periods of abstinence. Moreover, research shows that higher level of education attained is associated with increased likelihood of adopting modern contraceptives and involvement in family planning, but in accordance with statistics provided by the Department of Education, more than 6 million people are deemed to be functionally illiterate, with mostly only finishing grade school - if they even attended school at all.
- Opposition of religion to family planning. Instead of being received with open arms, the RH Law was met with vocal opposition from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference prior to its passing as the Church urged politicians to drop the bill. Religious leaders were against the bill under the assumption that it would promote sexual relations at a young age or even outside of marriage given its provision for inclusion of sex education within the curriculum. With more than 80% of our population being Catholic, the Church’s opposition could be very influential in swaying public opinion.
- Misconceptions and myths about family planning. Myths and misconceptions about family planning are major barriers to the use of contraceptives. Misunderstandings such as negative side effects on the mother’s body or infants being born with disabilities contribute to fear in using contraceptives. Moreover, some couples doubt the effectiveness of family planning and perceive it as a waste of money. Community health teaching to couples and pregnant mothers about family planning is a must to debunk their negative notions about family planning.
What are ways you can suggest to increase the practice of FP in the country? Give at least 1-2 suggestions.
- Promotion of mass education. Mass education aims to raise awareness and destigmatize the use of family planning methods so individuals, couples, and families are able to make sound decisions based on evidence-based information. By first addressing the reasons and relieving their concerns that contribute to why these persons don't seek family planning counseling, this will increase their willingness to absorb accurate and accessible information provided by the community health nurse, thereby allowing them to fully understand its benefits, including how it can also protect them their reproductive health and increase control over the life. Implementation of cost-effective IEC programs and materials is also a must as it will widen the reach of information on reproductive health, allowing fulfillment of the duty of the community nurse or healthcare professional to educate the masses. Sex education should also be promoted not to encourage the act of premarital sex but to satisfy adolescent curiosity so they no longer have to explore such acts while being uninformed and unprotected. By ensuring teenagers are familiarized with the benefits of family planning, we not only address the social stigma that comes with the use of contraception and the practice of family planning but also allow informed choices in sexual health once they finally decided to settle, thereby lowering the quantity of the unintended pregnancies in the country. It is also important to champion the reach of programs designed for the promotion of family planning practices to individuals living in far-flung areas. Community health teachings, as well as house-to-house visits, should be prioritized/focused in areas with high poverty rates and massive quantities of large families, where the knowledge is really needed.
- Widen & strengthen implementation of policies on reproductive healthcare. Aside from better access to information, access to contraception should also be increased especially for the poor and marginalized sectors of society. The national government, along with LGUs, should make an effort to implement policies that will better the access to contraceptives and allot resources for its full implementation, ensuring that reproductive healthcare is safe and universally accessible. Additionally, birth control should be made more affordable to remove the cost of the contraceptives as impediment to its utilization.
- Increase funding for reproductive healthcare and the health sector in general. Sufficient budget allocation to reproductive healthcare ensures the development of more effective reproductive health services that thereby promote people’s quality of life better. Funding for reproductive healthcare should also include hiring and supporting skilled healthcare professionals to ensure the sustenance of family planning services. This involves addressing the phenomenon of “brain drain”, where competent health professionals go abroad to find better-paying jobs and career opportunities. By increasing investment in the Philippine health sector, this not only improves the health infrastructures and increases the accessibility of health services, but also encourages our health professionals to serve the Filipino people. With the increased availability of healthcare workers in the region, local citizens can now receive better health care services, which can include more accessible family planning services until it eventually becomes part of the norm. Though it requires heavier investment at the moment, it will certainly yield better returns in the future as developed countries are evidence that a healthy nation is a more productive nation.
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/
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
The Guardian. (2013). Philippines: Where Catholics, condoms and conservatism collide over
health. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2013/may/30/
philippines-catholics-condoms-conservatism