Contraceptive Use Among the Poor in Indonesia

What was the question?

Because there has been a recent decline in family planning funding as well as an economic crisis in Indonesia publicly provided contraceptives have declined. This study was designed to find out whether or not these changes have affected the rate of contraceptive use in poor Indonesian woman. The study also looked into the actual reasons for the use of modern methods as opposed to more traditional (withdrawal, periodic abstinence) contraceptives. Two theories were mentioned, the "supply-side" as well as the "demand-side." The supply side approach proposed that lower contraceptive use by low income individuals would suggest that economical and geographic barriers were the cause for a decrease. Demand side offered a different viewpoint: poor woman are less likely to use contraceptives because of their culture, values and opinions on large family asset.

What was done?

The data for analysis included 29,500 woman from 2002 to 2003 and was drawn from the IDHS. Socioeconomic status was accounted for by the number of material possessions within a household. This didn't include quantities of food which changes rapidly at different times of year. This process of separating woman into socioeconomic groups was very important to the results of the study, grouping were as follows: extremely poor, moderately poor, and better off. Respondents were divided into two groups according to age, 15-34, and 35-49. Age effects results tremendously because of the amount of living children already, as well as health factors such as menopause. Woman disclosed their ideal number of children was as well as how they plan to maintain that ideal. Woman who used contraceptives told how they got them, which kind they used (short or long term) and finally, how much they cost. Woman who did not use any modern form of contraceptives were responded with there reasons. The study also examined correlations between exposure to family planning media messages and those who weren't.

What was found?

Better off woman wanted, and had less children. Poor woman who wanted to take contraceptives paid for them through the private sector out of pocket. However, there were significant discounts. Although short term hormonal methods were very inexpensive most users did not obtain them free of cost, long term contraceptives were more expensive but users were able to obtain them for a very discounted or at no cost. Higher rates of woman who reported exposure to family planning messages ( "Two is enough") corresponded to increased rates of modern contraceptives use.

What does this study mean?

In order to increase the use of modern contraceptives multiple factors must be addressed. Poor woman are less educated, and have less exposure to media messages. These factors account for certain cultural and attitudinal ways that contribute to contraceptive use. Simply subsidizing prices will not be effective. A multi dimensional approach is necessary to change long standing principles and values regarding religion and the notion that a large family is of economic value.

References

Schoemaker, J. (2005, September 31). Contraceptive Use Among the Poor in
Indonesia. International Family Planning Perspectives, 1-10. Retrieved
September 14, 2007, from CINAHL database.