The Thematic Analysis of Barriers to Immediate Post-Partum Long-Acting Reversible Contraception

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Public Health
• Obstetrics & Gynecology

Background:

• Many women desire to avoid immediate pregnancy post-delivery, yet contraceptive use is low.
• Postpartum long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are highly effective but face access and training barriers.
• There is a significant demand for postpartum family planning, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify barriers faced by healthcare providers in delivering immediate postpartum family planning services.
• To understand the factors influencing the provision of postpartum contraception.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 293 healthcare providers was conducted using an online questionnaire.
• Data were analyzed using SPSS, employing chi-square tests and Pearson's correlation.
• A thematic SWOT analysis was performed on key statistical findings.

Main Results:

• While most providers counsel on family planning, immediate postpartum provision was reported by 76.1%, with PPIUDs being the most used method (52.6%).
• Key barriers included insufficient training (Implanon 33.4%, PPIUCD 12.6%), unavailability of implants (59.0%), and low patient interest (46.1%).
• Practice setting and experience were strengths, but provider qualification was a limiting factor.

Conclusions:

• Significant challenges exist in providing immediate postpartum LARCs, highlighting the need for enhanced professional education and training.
• Addressing these barriers is essential for increasing postpartum family planning acceptance and reducing unmet needs in resource-limited settings.