The effects of family planning services on women’s reproductive health: a case study of selected Marie Stopes Centres in Accra

Global context.

Introduction

Presently, there have been increased attempts to guarantee that family planning services (FPS) are accessible to all due to the fundamental connection between reproductive health and development objectives.  Eva et al. (2017) identified that maternal causes accounted for 7.3% of deaths among women aged 15–49 worldwide in 2010, indicating that the unsatisfied need for these services remains high among the most vulnerable populations, such as the young and the impoverished. Family planning encourages the best possible childbearing intervals, which is noted to improve the health of newborns. The appropriate childbearing interval between conceptions lowers the likelihood of unfavourable newborn outcomes, such as low birth weight and preterm deliveries, as shown by Rutstein and Winter (2014). According to a thorough meta-analysis conducted in 2012 by the IARC Working Group on Hormonal Contraception and Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy, protracted usage of oral contraceptives is linked to a lower incidence of endometrial and ovarian malignancies. 

Recognising the critical role FP plays in enabling women to arrive at educated decisions about their reproductive life, governments, and advocacy organisations have pledged to advance reproductive rights (Yeboah et al., 2022). 

Problem statement

Despite widespread knowledge and awareness of contraception and contemporary FPS, the prevalence of unintended births worldwide is rising (WHO, 2013). Additionally, statistics from around the globe reveal that out of 210 million pregnancies occurring annually, a staggering 75 million, or 36%, are unintended or undesired (WHO, 2010). The rate of maternal death remains alarmingly high, with the WHO reporting 287,000 women losing their lives in 2020 due to pregnancy and childbirth-related complications (WHO, 2023). Notably, in 2020, nations with lower and intermediate economic levels accounted for approximately 95% of all maternal fatalities, the majority of which could have been prevented.

Severity and Consequences of the problem

The rising incidence of unwanted pregnancies and the startlingly high rates of maternal death highlight the complex issues facing the field of reproductive health. Several factors contribute to these problems, such as a lack of inexpensive FP options, ingrained societal norms that affect reproductive choices, and inadequate access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education (Moridi (2023). These variables raise the incidence of unwanted pregnancies and avoidable maternal fatalities, especially in lower-income nations like Ghana...

Research Objectives

General Objective

To examine the impact of Marie Stopes' family planning services on the reproductive health of women in Accra.

Specific Objectives

1. Evaluate the effect of MSI's community outreach programs on the uptake of contraceptive 

2. Determine the impact of the fear of contraceptive negative effects on women's decision to continue or discontinue.

3. Identify factors that influence the utilisation of FPS among women of reproductive age.

4. To identify barriers hindering the effective uptake of MSI services despite high levels of awareness.

Research Questions

1. What is the effect of MSI's community outreach programs on the uptake of contraceptives? 

2. What is the impact of the fear of contraceptive negative effects on women's decision to continue or discontinue?

3. What factors influence the utilisation of FPS among women of reproductive age?

4. What are the barriers hindering the effective uptake of MSI services despite high levels of awareness?