IDENTIFICATION OF PERCEPTION, EXPERIENCES, AND PREFERENCES ABOUT FAMILY PLANNING METHOD: A COMPARATIVE METROPOLITAN STUDY

Abstract

Pakistan is developing country and it has second highest fertility rates in South Asia, due to population growth it faces many problems in terms of development and topic of family planning is controversial issue in Pakistan. The study explored differences in choices, preferences and experiences along with knowledge of married educated, highly educated and employed/un-employed women regarding family planning methods. This research was a mix method study and divided into two phases quantitative & qualitative methods. Data was collected through survey type self-constructed questionnaire. The questionnaire was divided into 6 sections with open ended and closed ended questions. 320 married women were selected for data collection through purposive sampling from different employment sectors. In phase I, data was collected through questionnaire based on likert scale and T-Test were applied to analyze the results. The findings of the research stated that employed and un-employed women had different preferences and experiences. It was observed that employment has no effect on choices and knowledge regarding family planning methods. In phase II, data obtained through open ended questions and then analyzed through thematic analysis, six major themes were identified i.e. Reasons of adopting FPM, Obstacles to choose FPM, Disadvantages of FPM, Advantages of FPM, Stereotypical perception of FPM, and Experiences & preferences about FPM. It was also observed that un-educated women had different preferences and experiences than educated and highly educated. The current study will help the upcoming researchers working in the area of choices, preferences and knowledge about family planning.

Keywords: Knowledge, choices, preferences, experiences, educated, highly educated, employed, unemployed, family planning methods.