%0 Journal Article
%T WomenĄŻs Perceptions and Attitudes Related to Family Planning Use among Poor Population in Rural Rwanda
%A Costase Ndayishimiye
%J Advances in Reproductive Sciences
%P 1-12
%@ 2330-0752
%D 2021
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/arsci.2021.91001
%X <strong>INTRODUCTION:</strong> In 2012, Rwandan Government has declared family planning (FP) a national priority for poverty reduction and socioeconomic development. However, rural areas still contribute to higher fertility rates. <strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> To explore factors to influence FP uptake in rural families. <strong>METHODS:</strong> This study used mixed (quantitative and qualitative) methods consisted of two separate surveys. The first survey (quantitative-based cross-sectional design) determined FP use in households while the second survey (qualitative-based design) identified socio-cultural factors which hindered FP uptake in households. In total, 119 households with women in reproductive age (15 - 45) were targeted in rural areas in Western province, Karongi District. The data collected during door-to-door visits using paper-based-questionnaires and administered through interviews. A database mask was designed under OnaCollect, then processed in SPSS software. The results were presented in tables of frequencies, the difference between proportions assessed using Chi-Square-test, the difference between means assessed using t-tests, significance at p = or &lt;0.05, confidence level at 0.95, and a margin error of 0.09. <strong>RESULTS:</strong> Socio-cultural norms influenced no use of contraception (32.8%) or only promoted natural methods (12.6%). Social norms were religious in origin (38.5%) where Christianity (91.8%) discouraged modern methods (viewed as killing children) but encouraged using natural methods, preferably abstinence (73.3%). Cultural norms (17.9%) influenced families to have many children as resources of wealth, evidence of productivity, and a way to decrease parentsĄŻ workloads including assisting mothers in home-based activities such as cooking, and assisting fathers in farming activities such as keeping cows, goats and pigs. Other attitudes included gender-based issues (2.5%) mainly due to spousal disapproval (men dominated in taking FP decisions in families), whereas other non-users of modern methods (28.2%) feared side-effects. This study was registered with IRB: CMHS/IRB/097/2019. <strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Religious, social, and cultural norms affect FP in rural areas. In order to accelerate FP uptake, men and religious leaders should be targeted as key partners who influence womenĄŻs choices.
%K Family Planning in Rwanda
%K Religion and Family Planning
%K Contraceptive Methods
%K Community Health Workers in Rwanda
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=105853