IJCM_326A: Access to Contraceptives for Migrants: Understanding how to improve family planning coverage in Brick Kiln in Northern India- A mixed methods study

Abstract

Background: Family planning is a key means to achieving many of the Sustainable Development Goals. Lack of data in marginalized populations on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) hampers efforts to improve modern contraceptive practice. Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and family planning practices and understand the facilitators and barriers for adopting family planning methods. Methodology: Cross-sectional study among men and women workers of reproductive age group and in-depth interviews (IDIs) in selected women worker of reproductive age group; were conducted. Qualitative data were described in proportions and compared using standard statistical tests. Qualitative data were coded and grouped and discussed using identified themes. Results: Among 85 migrant workers studied, more than two-third of the workers had no formal schooling. Only 38% were found to have practiced any Family Planning Methods (FPM), among the non-usage of any FPM, it has been found that 37% were never felt the need for FPM, 21% had no knowledge regarding any FPM. The facilitators identified for FPM were knowledge & practice about FPM, felt need for a small family, health system support, family support. As a migrant worker, they face multiple barriers like, difficulty in identifying the health facility, increased work time, difficulty in comprehending the local language and inaccessible frontline healthcare workers. Conclusion: The finding stresses the need to shift focus towards building intention, in addition to ensuring access of trained staff, and commodities drugs and equipment, and building capacities of health care providers

Keywords

• barriers
• brick kilns
• contraception
• migrants