Perceptions and Barriers Regarding Family Planning among Stakeholders in Faisalabad: A Grounded Theory Approach

Abstract

Introduction: The world population has been steadily increasing over the past few centuries. Pakistan, a middle low-income country in Asia, has a population of around 220 million. Population growth is a major worry for a country like Pakistan which has a conventional attitude toward contraception and family planning. Faisalabad is the third most populous city of Pakistan with an estimated population of 7.8 million. The CPR in Faisalabad is 37.6 percent. Purpose Statement: The purpose of this grounded theory is to explore the perceptions of stakeholders regarding Family Planning and to develop a theory based on its barriers to utilization among Stakeholders in Faisalabad. Methodology: The methodological orientation is Grounded Theory; Qualitative Research. A total of 32 In-depth Interviews were conducted with Married males and females having at least one child and 4 In-depth Interviews with religious scholars in 3 different areas (Urban, Rural, and Borderline) of Faisalabad for four months. The study was duly approved by the Al-Shifa School of Public Health, PIO, Rawalpindi. The data were analyzed by following COREQ guidelines. Results: Analysis of the data created three perspectives; Male user perspective, Female user perspective, and Religious perspective. Each perspective created four major themes; marriage, conception, decision-making, and family planning. The core phenomenon was Perception and Barriers to Family Planning while the categories around involve Causal conditions, Strategies, Contextual and Intervening conditions, and consequences. Upon further analysis, it was revealed the most suitable age to marry is 20-22 years and the majority of the conception was according to the will of the couple. All of the Interviewees were utilizing contraceptives; withdrawal and conventional (condom) methods. However, only a few considered family planning a sin in Islam. However, religious scholars revealed that family planning is not a sin in Islam until you are not harming your body parts and you have pure intentions (to have a gap between children). Conclusion: Perceptions of family planning ranged from utilitarian concerns to religious convictions. The perspectives of men are generally shaped by a combination of personal experiences, religious convictions, and cultural conventions. Female interviewees displayed a variety of viewpoints influenced by personal experiences, religious convictions, and societal conventions. The study underlines the significance IV of considering unique circumstances and emphasizes the complexity of factors impacting various elements of reproductive health. The interviews highlight the complex nature of religious instruction, which takes into account a variety of issues including societal norms and personal family planning aspirations. Islamic law considers conventional contraceptives acceptable because they don't injure any human organs. Keywords: Family Planning, Perceptions of Family Planning, Barriers to Family Planning, Qualitative Research, Grounded Theory.