Contraceptive Accessibility in South Asia: A Systematic Review of Cultural and Societal Determinants
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Mentor Information
Dr. Olukemi Akintewe
Description
South Asia presents a unique panorama where sociocultural factors intersect with family planning priorities, influencing individual reproductive health outcomes and contraceptive use. This systematic review delves into the current state of contraceptive access in seven South Asian countries, namely India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Iran, Nepal, and the Maldives, examining trends in reproductive healthcare and initiatives over time. Socioeconomic variations underscore disparities in birth control accessibility. Cultural and societal determinants either facilitate or impede access to and effective use of contraception. The PRISMA method was employed, resulting in the identification of 48 relevant articles from an initial pool of 414. The analysis reveals that influences on birth control use have regional variations, with traditional values and women’s autonomy being significant determinants. Socioeconomic factors, including education and income, consistently impact accessibility, exhibiting disparities between urban and rural areas. Indicators, including economic equitability, cultural stigmas, medical accessibility, literacy rates, and government impact, were analyzed for each country. A strong association between adequate medical resources and positive reproductive access outcomes was observed. While some countries are taking steps toward effective interventions, there remains a knowledge gap among providers and patients. The review necessitates the need for culturally sensitive interventions, acknowledging variable, yet common determinants such as tradition-based norms, socioeconomic factors, religious beliefs, and gender dynamics. Recommendations include prioritizing cultural and gender-sensitive education about contraceptive options in healthcare initiatives and government-level policies to ensure equitable access and effective utilization of contraceptives in diverse cultural contexts across South Asia.
Contraceptive Accessibility in South Asia: A Systematic Review of Cultural and Societal Determinants
South Asia presents a unique panorama where sociocultural factors intersect with family planning priorities, influencing individual reproductive health outcomes and contraceptive use. This systematic review delves into the current state of contraceptive access in seven South Asian countries, namely India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Iran, Nepal, and the Maldives, examining trends in reproductive healthcare and initiatives over time. Socioeconomic variations underscore disparities in birth control accessibility. Cultural and societal determinants either facilitate or impede access to and effective use of contraception. The PRISMA method was employed, resulting in the identification of 48 relevant articles from an initial pool of 414. The analysis reveals that influences on birth control use have regional variations, with traditional values and women’s autonomy being significant determinants. Socioeconomic factors, including education and income, consistently impact accessibility, exhibiting disparities between urban and rural areas. Indicators, including economic equitability, cultural stigmas, medical accessibility, literacy rates, and government impact, were analyzed for each country. A strong association between adequate medical resources and positive reproductive access outcomes was observed. While some countries are taking steps toward effective interventions, there remains a knowledge gap among providers and patients. The review necessitates the need for culturally sensitive interventions, acknowledging variable, yet common determinants such as tradition-based norms, socioeconomic factors, religious beliefs, and gender dynamics. Recommendations include prioritizing cultural and gender-sensitive education about contraceptive options in healthcare initiatives and government-level policies to ensure equitable access and effective utilization of contraceptives in diverse cultural contexts across South Asia.
