Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Couples Voluntary
Counseling and Testing (CVCT) for pregnant couples has been
integrated into PMTCT programs at the majority of Rwanda clinics.
With a newly emerging emphasis on couple-centered health
programming in Rwanda, understanding couples' knowledge, attitudes
and practices around family planning and LARC in particular can
contribute to better family planning programming and the provision
of methods in keeping with a couple's fertility
intentions.
Methods and Materials: 117 couples
were surveyed from 13 government health centers during July and
August 2013. Separately, men and women were asked questions about
their fertility intentions (number of children and timing) and the
intentions of their partners. Together, couples were questioned
about demographic characteristics, family planning use and
perceptions, safer conception and LARC-specific
concerns.
Results: There is a high level of
concordance between couples in regards to their personal fertility
desires, and accurate predictions of the desires of their partners.
High levels of modern contraceptive use were observed,
predominantly short term methods. There was a significant
difference between Catholic and non-Catholic clinic clients in
terms of modern contraceptive uptake.
Discussion: The majority of couples
defined as LARC-eligible by their stated fertility desires
expressed a willingness to consider LARC methods for their future
contraceptive needs. Many participants expressed concerns about the
side effects of LARC methods, with high levels of medically
inaccurate concerns, especially about the IUD.
Conclusion: The results of this
couples-based survey suggest the need for data on the integration
of evidence-based family planning counseling and education for men
and women as the unit of reproductive decision-making.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction 3
Chapter 2: Literature Review: Couples and Family
Planning in Sub-Saharan Africa 8
Family Planning in the Context of the HIV Epidemic
9
Predictors and Barriers to LARC Uptake in Sub-Saharan
Africa 13
Men in Family Planning 16
Chapter 3: Manuscript 20
Abstract 21
Contribution of Student 22
Introduction 23
Methods and Materials 24
Results 27
Discussion 30
Conclusion 32
Tables 34
Figures 40
Chapter 4: Conclusion and Recommendations
46
Works Cited 52
Appendices 56
Appendix 1: Individual Questionnaire for Men and Women
56
Appendix 2: Couple's Survey Instrument 59
About this Master's Thesis
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