ilem - dispelling myths, correcting misconceptions in family planning

8/2/2019 Ilem - Dispelling Myths, Correcting Misconceptions in Family Planning

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DISPELLING MYTHS,CORRECTING MISCONCEPTIONS

INF

AMILYP

LANNING

ESMERALDO T. ILEM, M.D, MS IV, FPOGSHead, Comprehensive Family Planning Service

DR. JOSE FABELLA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL



MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONSTHE MORAL – Contraception is EVIL!

THE LEGAL – Emergency contraception is allowed in thePhilippines.THE SEXUAL – Contraception makes one a “sex

maniac”

THE PERSONAL – Contraception cannot be used by single orunmarried women or even by adolescents.THE MEDICAL – Contraception has no health benefits.THE SOCIAL – Contraception promotes promiscuity and

rise in STIs.THE RIDICULOUS – IUD can travel and reach the brain.THE MORBID – Contraception can cause illnesses (eg Cancers)and can KILL!



MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS

THE MOST CONTROVERSIALAND MOST DEBATABLE:

ContraceptionCauses abortion!



FACTORS AFFECTING DECISION -MAKING TO USE A PARTICULAR FP M ETHOD

AgeNumber of children

Health statusEconomic statusReligious beliefsRelationship withspouse

Marital status

Word of mouth

CultureMisconceptionsPolitics

Significant personalexperience



ANTAGONISTS TO CONTRACEPTION OUR “ FRENEMIES ”

THE RELIGIOUS AND ULTRACONSERVATIVESTHE OPPONENTS TO THE RH BILL

THE DISAPPROVING AND NONBELIEVINGHEALTH WORKERS (esp. doctors)FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS

CLIENTSPOOR/ILLITERATE/IGNORANT/MISINFORMEDABUSED/DOMINATEDWHO EXPERIENCED COMPLICATIONS



P ERCENT DISTRIBUTION OF MARRIED WOMEN NOT USING CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS ,BY REASON OF NON-USE , P HILIPPINES , 2002

REASONS FOR NON-USE PERCENTAGE

1. WANTS ANOTHER CHILD 18.5%

2. HEALTH CONCERNS 13.3%

3. FEAR OF SIDE EFFECTS/COMPLICATIONS 12.6%

4. DIFFICULTY IN GETTING PREGNANT/ADVANCINGAGE

11.2%

5. INFREQUENT SEX/HUSBAND AWAY 8.7%

6. MENOPAUSAL OR HAD HYSTERECTOMY 8.1%

6. LACK OF KNOWLEDGE 2.3%

7. PROHIBITED BY RELIGION 2.9%

8. OTHERS OR Combination of the Above 20.9%



HEALTH PROVIDERS SHARE MISCONCEPTION MEDICAL P ROVIDERS ’ UN-FAVORABLE ATTITUDES TOWARDS FAMILY P LANNING , 1995

ISSUES TOTAL OB-GYN GPs MW1. A woman should have 1 child beforetaking pills

54 51 46 66

2. If the husband does not approve ofFP, the woman should not use it

51 53 52 48

3. Religious teachings affectrecommendation

47 48 53 40

4. Reluctant to recommendcontraceptives to unmarried women

44 43 44 44

5. I only discuss contraceptives whenthe client brings up the subject

40 31 46 44

6. Health providers should decide onthe method for the client

34 25 34 43

7. Very few patients ask about FP 27 17 32 33

8. IUD is an abortifacient 22 28 23 16

9. Against religious belief to recommendnon-natural FP methods

18 16 19 22



COUNTERACTING MYTHS ANDMISCONCEPTIONS

Most popular and most effective method is through

COUNSELING!(also Information Giving and Motivational Activities)

ROLE PLAYERS:

EVERYONE HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY,BUT THE SKILL TO COUNSEL AS AN ART

MAY BE DIFFICULT.



FAMILY PLANNINGFOUR (4) PILLARS/GUIDING PRINCIPLES:

1. RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD

2. BIRTH SPACING3. INFORMED CHOICE

4. RESPECT FOR LIFE



FOR THE HEALTHWORKERSPROFICIENCY IN THE ART AND PASSION FORCOUNSELING

THE CURICULUM FOR FP TRAINING COURSES INCLUDESCOMPETENCY IN COUNSELING

ADHERENCE TO THE PRINCIPLES OF

“INFORMED CHOICE AND

VOLUNTARISM”



G-A-T-H-E-R

G

A

T

H

E

R

REET

SK/ASSESS

ELL Tells the client about FP methods based on her needs;

: short-term, long-term, permanent

Tells how the method works

Explains effectiveness, advantages, disadvantages, possible sideeffects

Corrects misconceptions

ELP

XPLAIN

ETURN/REFER

THE G-A-T-H-E-R A PPROACH



P RINCIPLE OF INFORMED CHOICE AND VOLUNTARISM Broad range of modern FP methods should be made available at the

clinic with referral system for methods not available at the clinic;Service providers and Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) should notbe subjected to quotas or targets;

There will be no payment of incentives, bribes, gratuities orfinancial rewards to (1) any clients for becoming an FP acceptor, or (2)service providers for achieving a quota or target;No person shall be denied any right or benefit based on theirdecision not to accept FP;

Comprehensible information about benefits and risks of thechosen method , including conditions that might render the methodinadvisable (i.e., contraindications?) plus side effects shall be provided.This requirement may be satisfied through counseling, brochures,posters, or package inserts.

Informed consent for BTL and NSV



STRENGTHENING SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE PROJECTOF FAMILY PLANNING IN THE PHILIPPINES:

A COMMUNICATION AND ADVOCACY PROJECT (USAID 2006)

BEHAVIOR CHANGE COMMUNICATION (BCC) COMPONENT1. Regional advertising campaigns to debunk myths and misconceptionsaired

Radio materials aired and monitored, FP Hotline advertised in print media

2. Media and technology to transmit correct FP information to targetaudiences and the public implemented

FP Hotline monitored for number of questions and question senders

3. Printed materials to deliver correct family planning information topresent and potential users of family planning through champions andhealth providers distributed to intended users

4. Communication activities to promote contraceptive self-reliance

5. Continuing media relations and monitoring activities conducted

6. Quick response mechanism to counteract negative messageson modern methods activatedMedia monitoring conducted by POPCOM



The 12 Sexual & Reproductive Rights

Right to Life Right to Liberty & Security

Right to Freedom of Thought

Right to Equality & to be Free from All Forms of Discrimination

Right to Privacy

Right to Information & Education as it relates to sexualand reproductive health for all, including access to fullinformation on the benefits, risks, and effectiveness of all methods of fertility regulation, in order that all decisionstaken are made on the basis of full, free and informedconsent;



Right to Heath Care and Health Protection

Right to Choose Whether or Not to Marry & to Found and Plan a Family which includes the right of

persons to protection against a requirement to marrywithout his/her consent and the right to reproductive healthcare services;Right to Decide Whether or When to have Children

which includes the right of persons to decide freelyresponsibly the number and spacing of their children and to

access to information and educationRight to the Benefits of Scientific Progress Right to Freedom of Assembly & Political Participation Right to be Free from Torture & Ill-treatment

THE 12 S EXUAL & R EPRODUCTIVE R IGHTS , C ONT .



WHAT CAN THE MDG DO FOR FP?

MDG I: ERADICATE POVERTY AND HUNGEREconomic Progress is a family planning method as seenamong developed countries. It also improves access.

MDG 2 :UNIVERSAL EDUCATIONSex education in school esp. among adolescents should

help give correct information on FP and answermisconceptions.

MDG 3 : GENDER EQUALITY AND EMPOWERMENT OFWOMEN

Women should be able exercise their human, sexual andreproductive rights.

MDG 4: REDUCTION OF CHILD MORTALITYThe numbers of children dying should create more impact tohelp couples decide for FP



WHAT THE MDG CAN DO FOR FP?MDG 5 : IMPROVE MATERNAL HEALTH

Focus on 5B to increase CPR and decrease unmet need forFP especially during the last 5 years of the MDG.

MDG 6 : COMBAT HIV/AIDS, MALARIA AND OTHERDISEASES

Especially for HIV/AIDS, to emphasize that FP offers littleprotection except for acceptance of the protective benefit ofcondom.

MDG 7 : ENSURE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITYMore people returning to rural areas assured of livelihood to

decrease the impact and negative effects of overpopulationMDG 8 : GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP

No donor fatigue and more support for development.



WE DO NOT NEED ANOTHER RUMOR!

But we cannot help but ask if FP opposition in thePhilippines has some religious background and interest?

FP brought and started by the Protestants;Philippines being the only Christian country in AsiaThere are now more Muslims worldwideOverpopulation is a resource as far as Catholic proponentsare concerned!



CONCLUSION

Modern times with newer technologies, advancedcommunications and evidenced-based medicinesupporting best practices prove of limited help indispelling myths and misconceptions on

contraceptives;

We need to invest on informing, motivating andtraining health workers, lay volunteers and

prospective clients on effective counselling to helpdecide to adopt and promote FP.



THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

also WE MEN ^ DELIVER

ilem - dispelling myths, correcting misconceptions in family planning

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