Tribal eligible couple and care providers' perspective on family planning: A qualitative study in Keonjhar district, Odisha, India

Abstract

Introduction: Cultural belief and individual's perception play an important role in acceptance of modern family planning method, more so among tribal communities. It is important to understand the prevailing beliefs and practices among tribal as well as their felt and unmet needs to address existing gaps and improve family planning services for them. Methods: Total 32 in-depth interviews and eight focus group discussions were conducted among service providers and the tribal eligible couples respectively from April to June 2017 in six villages of Anandpur block in Keonjhar district, Odisha to explore about tribals' beliefs and cultural practice on marriage and childbirth, barriers and challenges in adopting family planning methods and their practices to address unwanted pregnancies. Data were analysed thematically using content analysis method. Results: The most prevalent barriers for accepting permanent family planning method were their cultural practice to ban woman acceptor from worshiping God, fear of unable to provide sexual satisfaction to their partner that may cause remarriage of their spouse. Non availability of contraceptives with front line health workers was an important factor for its non adherence. Low affordability and lack of easy access to public health facilities during any reproductive health related complications make tribal consult local traditional healers. Conclusions: Round the clock availability of contraceptives with front-line health providers along with continuous behavioural change communication involving male partners and local influential persons will improve family planning service among tribal.

Challenges in Modern Contraception Access among Married Bonda Women: Insights from a Qualitative Study on Family Planning Barriers and Healthcare Dynamics

“…These misconceptions stem from unsuitable information received from friends, relatives, and husbands. In this context, similar ndings on myths and misconceptions as barriers to contraceptive use are documented in such studies (Adongo et al, 2013) (Ochako et al, 2015), (Mishra et al, 2017), (Hameed & Avan, 2018), (Palo et al, 2020) studied PVTGs of Odisha in the Keonjhar district and revealed that women in the study area expressed strong barriers toward permanent sterilization due to a cultural belief that undergoing such a procedure would prohibit them from participating in worship practices associated with their religion or belief system. The present study states that myths and misconceptions create the primary barriers preventing Bonda women from using contraceptive methods, as adopting family planning methods hampers their ability to work in strenuous labor.…”

“…While most individuals in the region are familiar with at least three types of family planning (FP) methods, there is a gap in preparedness for future use or guidance from others. Despite awareness of modern contraceptives, a limited percentage of women possess knowledge about family planning methods, as evidenced by previous studies (Swamy et al, 2017) (Mishra et al, 2017), (Ochako et al, 2018), (Palo et al, 2020), (Mushy et al, 2020), and (Sowmya et al, 2020), (Sekine et al, 2021). (Prusty, 2014) reported that even though tribal women were aware of FP methods in Jharkhand, only 17% utilized any modern contraception, in contrast to 39% of nontribal women.…”

Knowledge and attitude towards contraceptive use among Juang men: a particularly vulnerable tribal group in Odisha, India

“…A past study among tribes in Odisha also revealed that the most common barriers to accepting permanent family planning methods were their cultural practice of prohibiting woman acceptors from worshipping God, as well as their fear of being unable to provide sexual satisfaction to their partner, which may result in the remarriage of their spouse. 23 An earlier study found that a lack of knowledge and misinformation about male sexual health issues, existing gender inequality, and lack of male-oriented reproductive health services all discourage tribal men from sharing responsibility in reproductive health matters of their spouses. 16 This reemphasizes the need for contraceptive programs to engage men and address gender-equitable attitudes.…”

Demographic and socio-economic correlates of knowledge of the ovulatory cycle among tribal women in India: Evidence from the nationally representative survey (NFHS-5)

“…Tribal women in India are more vulnerable in terms the knowledge of their menstrual cycle and use of hygienic period products [ 25 ]. Hence, their choice to consult informal health practitioners for abortion care services stemmed from a lack of information about preventing unwanted pregnancies and uncertainty about where to access high quality [ 26 ]. Moreover, there is a discernible distinction in the use of period products during menstruation between tribal women and non-tribal women in India due to economic conditions, educational level and lack of knowledge [ 27 ].…”