Background: The timely provision of comprehensive contraceptive services to Rohingya women is impeded due to a lack of clarity and understanding of their traditional beliefs and cultural frameworks. Recognizing this challenge, our paper aims to explore the socio-cultural factors influencing the utilization of contraceptives among married Rohingya women living in the refugee camps of Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.
Method: A qualitative study was conducted in two unregistered Rohingya camps (Camp 7&14) located in Ukhiya Upazila, Cox's Bazar from January 10th to 20th, 2022. A total of 14 In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) were conducted among married Rohingya women of reproductive age (15-49 years), along with 16 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) involving stakeholders engaged in reproductive healthcare provision. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. All interviews were conducted in the local language, recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subsequently translated into English. The data were analyzed using NVivo (Version 11), and the analysis process followed Neuman's three-phase coding system.
Results: Five broad themes were identified: Sociocultural expectations and values attached to births, power imbalances within marital relationships, the role of religious beliefs, fear of side effects, and misperceptions about contraception. Having a larger number of children is viewed positively as it is believed that children play a crucial role in preserving the lineage and contributing to the growth of the Islamic population. Despite expressing an inclination towards contraception, the disapproval of husbands becomes a significant barrier for women. Defying their husbands' wishes can result in instances of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and even marriage dissolution within the camps. Moreover, the fear of side effects, such as a particular method would cause infertility, discourages women from using contraception. Many of these fears stem from myths, misconceptions, and mistrust in the existing medical system.
Conclusion: Addressing the socio-cultural barriers that prevent women from using modern contraception will have important public health implications. These findings can support in crafting culturally sensitive programs and educational interventions. These initiatives can assist Rohingya refugee women in planning their pregnancies and reducing high-risk pregnancies, ultimately leading to a decrease in maternal mortality rates within the community.
Keywords: Modern contraception; Rohingya women: Refugee camps; Sociocultural factors.
The timely provision of comprehensive contraceptive services to Rohingya women is impeded due to a lack of clarity and understanding of their traditional beliefs and cultural frameworks. Taking this into account, our objective is to investigate the socio-cultural factors that influence the utilization of contraceptives among married Rohingya women living in the refugee camps of Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. A total of 14 IDIs and 16 KIIs were conducted in two unregistered Rohingya camps. We found that contraceptive use among Rohingya refugees was constrained by various socio-cultural and religious beliefs. The desire for a larger number of children to ensure the continuity of the lineage and to be able to contribute to the growth of the Islamic population serves as a major barrier. Lack of decision-making power regarding reproductive life not only stops participation but also makes women vulnerable to IPV and marriage dissolution within the camps. Moreover, the fear of side effects, such as a particular method would cause infertility, discourages women from using contraception. Many of these fears stem from myths, misconceptions, and mistrust in the existing medical system. Young women often acquire information about both true side effects and myths from their social networks. Therefore, developing culturally sensitive programs and educational interventions targeting the women, their peers, and other related communities is indispensable to assist Rohingya refugee women in overcoming the identified barriers to contraception.
© 2024. The Author(s).