This study explores contraceptive practice and decision making of women who have experienced abortion in Malaysia. In-depth interviews were carried out with 31 women who had abortions. Women in this study did adopt some method of modern contraception prior their abortion episodes. However, challenges to use a method consistently were experiences and fear of side effects, contraceptive failure, partner's influence, lack of confidence, and cost. The decision to adopt contraception was theirs but the types of contraceptive methods to adopt were influenced by their spouses/partners. The women wanted to use modern contraception but were faced with challenges that hampered its use. More proactive contraceptive promotion is needed to educate people on the array of contraceptive methods available and made accessible to them, to correct misconceptions on safety of modern contraception, to increase men's involvement in contraceptive choices, and to encourage consistent contraceptive use to prevent unintended pregnancies.
Family planning is extremely important for women with diabetes due to the various health risks and other social impacts of pregnancy in this population. Unfortunately, contraceptive use among women with diabetes remains low. This study explored the reasons influencing the decision to use contraception among East Malaysian (Sarawakian) women with diabetes. This was an exploratory qualitative study conducted at an urban public health clinic in Sarawak. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 12 women with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were audio recorded and transcribed and then subjected to interpretive thematic analysis. Five themes appear to influence the decision to use contraception: likelihood of becoming pregnant, desired family size, personal health risks associated with getting pregnant, social implications of getting pregnant, and opinions of significant others. Among Sarawakian women with diabetes, the decision to use contraception was influenced by more than just health-related factors. Contraception counselling for this group of women should factor in their health beliefs, personal values, and social factors. Community involvement and peer support are potential strategies to improve contraception use.
BACKGROUND: Previous studies show that there is a changing trend of sexual and reproductive behaviour among youth and this requires more attention and awareness especially on sexually transmitted diseases (STD). This study was carried out to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice of sexually transmitted diseases among selected inmates of women shelter homes.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out by involving 60 participants whom aged in between 13 to 25 years old. The questionnaires were developed in 'Bahasa Melayu' and it has been anonymous guided questionnaires.
RESULTS: The result showed that the mean age of the participants was 17.9 years old and most of the participants have completed secondary school (91.7%). Overall, the level of knowledge of participants on STDs were classified into three groups; 'high knowledge' (33.3%), 'medium knowledge' (35.0%) and 'low knowledge' (31.7%). The majority have heard of HIV/AIDS (95%) but with respect to other STDs was less well known. Whereas, the mean score for attitude was 23.1 out total 25. Their knowledge level was not influenced by their age (p = 0.61) and socio-economic status (p = 0.85). However, their attitude was influenced by their age (p
OBJECTIVE: Many forms of contraception are available on prescription only for example, the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) and long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs). In this analysis we aim to identify key determinants of prescription contraceptive use.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional population survey. Data on sociodemographic indices, concerns about the OCP and perceived barriers to access were collected.
SETTING: Data set constructed from a representative population-based telephone survey of community dwelling adults in the Republic of Ireland (RoI)
PARTICIPANTS: 1515 women aged between 18 and 45 years
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Self-reported user of the OCP or LARCs (intrauterine contraception, contraceptive injections or subdermal contraceptive implants) in the previous 12 months.
RESULTS: For at least some of the previous year, 35% had used the OCP and 14% had used LARCs, while 3% had used two or more of these methods. OCP users were significantly younger, more likely to be unmarried and had higher income than non-users. Overall, 68% agreed with the statement 'that taking a break from long-term use of the contraceptive pill is a good idea' and 37% agreed with the statement that 'the OCP has dangerous side effects' and this was the strongest predictor variable of non-use of the OCP. Intrauterine contraception users were significantly older, more likely to be married and had lower income than non-users. Injections or subdermal contraceptive implant users were significantly younger, less likely to be married, had lower income and were less likely to agree that taking a break from long-term use of the pill is a good idea than non-users.
CONCLUSIONS: Prescription contraceptive use is sociodemographically patterned, with LARCs in particular being associated with lower incomes in the RoI. Concerns about the safety of the OCP remain prevalent and are important and modifiable determinants of contraceptive-related behaviour.