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Reproductive Health
Published in: Reproductive Health 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Contraception | Research

Family planning for women with severe mental illness in rural Ethiopia: a qualitative study

Authors: Tigist Zerihun, Katherine Sorsdahl, Charlotte Hanlon

Published in: Reproductive Health | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

Family planning is a crucial issue for all women of reproductive age, but in women with severe mental illness (SMI), there may be particular challenges and concerns. As primary care-based mental health services are expanding in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), there is an opportunity to improve family planning services for women with SMI. However, research exploring unmet family planning needs of women with SMI in such settings is scarce. Therefore, the present study explored the family planning experiences and preferences of women with SMI who reside in a predominantly rural area of Ethiopia.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted. Women with SMI who were participating in the ongoing population-based cohort study in Butajira were selected purposively based on their responses to a quantitative survey of current family planning utilisation. In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 women with SMI who were of reproductive age. Audio files were transcribed in Amharic, translated into English and analysed thematically.

Results

Participants reported pervasive effects of SMI upon the intimate relationships and sexual lives of women. Although women with SMI felt that family planning was important, they had limited knowledge of family planning generally, and a lack of understanding of the specific family planning needs relevant to having SMI. None of the women with SMI in the present study had received any recommendations to use family planning services while accessing mental health care services. The participants identified ways in which primary care-based mental health services could better meet their family planning needs.

Conclusions

This study provided in-depth perspectives from women with SMI about the broader context of their family planning experience, needs, barriers and how integrated primary care services could better meet their needs. Empowerment of women with SMI to access information and services needs to be an important focus of future efforts to improve the reproductive experiences of this vulnerable group.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Family planning for women with severe mental illness in rural Ethiopia: a qualitative study
Authors
Tigist Zerihun
Katherine Sorsdahl
Charlotte Hanlon
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
Contraception
Published in
Reproductive Health / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1742-4755
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-021-01245-1

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