Family planning services availed by adolescent mothers in selected barangays in the Municipality of Miag-ao, Iloilo

Abstract

The study aims to know the various family planning services availed by adolescent mothers in selected barangays in Miag-ao, Iloilo. Likewise, it deals with family planning services that are available to adolescent mothers and the factors that may affect the availment of the family planning services. The study was conducted in three selected barangays in Miag-ao namely, Barangay Aguiauan, Barangay Tumagboc and Barangay Valencia. To determine the total number of respondents, their names are listed from each barangay health station. Using the complete enumeration method, ten adolescent mothers were taken as respondents of the study. The interview schedule comprised of open-ended and close-ended questions was used for gathering data and a separate key-informant questionnaire was used to get the profile of each barangay health station and to gather information about their existing family planning services. Important findings show that there is no specific family planning program directed to adolescents but for the married, adult population only, yet adolescent mothers can be provided family planning services if they seek for it. However, there are only limited choices on the family planning methods offered by the barangay health station, exclusive only on pills and DMPA and sometimes condom. In general, adolescent mothers find little difficulty in availing family planning services from the barangay health station but their decision to visit the area and whether to use contraceptives or not and what to choose are affected by several factors. Information on what services are available and their knowledge of the methods are the significant factors that affect their decision. Moreover, their partners are also an important factor in their decision to avail family planning services. It was found that adolescent mothers solicit the opinion of their partners before engaging in family planning.