Family planning of minority groups : Asian women and seasonal workers

Hennink, Monique M (1997) Family planning of minority groups : Asian women and seasonal workers. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Abstract

This thesis uses a qualitative methodology to explore the knowledge, attitudes and use of contraception amongst two population sub-groups within the South and West Regional Health Authority area; Asian women and seasonal workers. More specifically it investigates the nature of sexual behaviour and the context in which contraceptive decisions are made by individuals in both groups. Changes in contraceptive use over time are identified as well as important differences amongst individuals within each minority group and how these differences impact on contraceptive behaviour and the ability to use family planning services. An extensive review of literature on trends in contraceptive use in Britain and influences on contraceptive choice is also given.

The research on Asian women investigated; attitudes, knowledge and use of contraception, factors which influence contraceptive decision making, and issues involved with using family planning services. In-depth interviews were undertaken with Asian teenagers, young single women and married women to investigate these issues amongst each group and to identify the patterns of contraceptive use throughout an Asian woman's lifecycle. The findings show that Asian teenagers conform to a different set of behavioural norms than their non-Asian peers, which typically discourages mixed sex socialising, developing relationships and premarital sex. A significant change in sexual behaviour becomes evident once teenagers move away from their parental home, this is typically when they experience their first sexual relationships, and contraception and access to contraceptive services becomes important. Asian teenagers place greater importance on school based sex education programmes than their non-Asian peers, which highlights the importance of sex education programmes for these teenagers. Married Asian women are influenced by a unique set of factors in their contraceptive decision making and their preferences for family planning services. Significant differences were found between professional and non-professional women in their timing of childbearing, contraceptive use and choice, and in their ability to use family planning services. While professional women expressed few difficulties in meeting their family planning needs, non-professional women experienced considerable difficulties which have important implications for service delivery.

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