Contraception in Jordan: a cultural and religious perspective

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Sociology of Health
• Middle Eastern Studies

Background:

• Contraception use among Jordanian women is influenced by various demographic and socio-cultural factors.
• Existing literature primarily focuses on demographic influences, with limited exploration of social and psychosocial elements.
• Understanding these factors is crucial for effective family planning and reproductive health initiatives in Jordan.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a content analysis of studies on Jordanian women's contraception practices.
• To identify key demographic and non-demographic factors influencing contraception uptake and use.
• To highlight nursing implications for improving contraceptive counseling and services.

Main Methods:

• Content analysis of published research on Jordanian women and contraception.
• Categorization and synthesis of findings related to demographic variables (e.g., education, age, residence).
• Identification of discussed social and psychosocial factors and their depth of investigation.

Main Results:

• Demographic factors like desire for children, number/gender of children, education, age, employment, residence, religion, and access to services significantly impact contraception use.
• Social and psychosocial factors were found to be under-researched in the existing literature.
• Specific contraceptive methods and sources of information were also discussed.

Conclusions:

• Effective contraception programs for Jordanian women must consider a wide range of demographic factors.
• Further research is needed to explore the impact of social and psychosocial influences on contraceptive decision-making.
• Nurses play a vital role in education, involving key stakeholders, and using sensitive communication strategies.