Introduction
In developing countries, one in every four sexually active women who wish to avoid getting pregnant have unmet needs for modern contraception. These women contribute to 82% of all unintended pregnancies in developing countries. Contraception is any method used to prevent pregnancy. Different methods work in various ways, but the basic criteria are that the method used must prevent the sperm from reaching the ovum and fertilizing it. The choice and practice of contraception may be influenced by different factors such as age, fertility health conditions like hypertension or diabetes, current use of interacting medication, smoking, number of partners, politics of contraception and population migration, religion and culture. This essay examines age, culture, politics of contraception and population migration as the ethnocultural issues of contraception.
Age
Different populations indicate different levels of emotional and physical maturity. For example, research shows that for European children, the age of menarche (first menstrual cycle) is notably higher than that from the Indian subcontinent or the Caribbean. Research shows that young people are more likely to engage in sexual behavior with multiple partners and drug abuse than the middle aged and aged (Trivedi, 2013). These factors result in a higher likelihood of pregnancy. Peer pressure and media influence also affects the young people more than the middle-aged or aged.
Culture
Cultural expectations also influence the success and effectiveness of contraception. Unfortunately, in a majority of cultures, the responsibility falls on women to arrange contraception. This implies that, despite the wide array of methods, contraception is widely perceived as the woman’s problem. Cultural attitudes towards premarital sex in some cultures are very strict. In this case, information on the use of contraception by individuals should be kept confidential. Cultural isolation such as the disapproval of women education may lead to inadequate knowledge on contraception methods available (Rafie, McIntosh, Gardner, Gawronski, Karaoui, Koepf et al., 2013).
Religion
Some religions may limit the choices of contraception available to an individual. Artificial contraception is not allowed. In Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Islam, there are religious beliefs which forbid extramarital sex, abortion and male physicians. Catholicism also forbids contraception and abortion and favors mucothermic and coitus interruptus.
Politics of contraception
There is a political debate on the legalization of abortion and contraception. These issues are political because, for laws and policies to be implemented, they must go through political processes. For example, in the United States, some religious organizations are clamoring to be allowed not to pay for services perceived as morally objectionable, while enabling doctors and nurses in Catholic hospitals access birth control pills.
Population Migration
The migration between countries may contribute to communication problems. This may not necessarily involve only language but also the style of communication (Rademakers, Mouthaan, & Neef, 2005). Problems in communication are likely to result in lower quality care. Patients may not present their problems in a manner that is understood by the physician. In addition, the expectations of patients may also not be met. The clash of cultures and longer acculturation times are also likely to affect the ease of access to contraception methods.
Conclusion
There are numerous issues which influence contraception. Some of the most important of these factors include age, culture, religion, politics and population migration. In terms of age, young people are more liberal with their sexuality and in practicing irresponsible drug use. This may affect the effectiveness of their contraceptive measures. Culture and religion also influence contraception as a result of beliefs held. Politics in involved in the formulation of laws that affect elements of contraception such as abortion and access of birth control for individuals in culturally or religiously restricted areas such as catholic hospitals and schools. Migrating population face challenges with language and acculturation and this affects contraception access. Overall, all these factors should be considered in policy-making and interventions.
References
Rademakers, J., Mouthaan, I., & Neef, M. D. (2005). Diversity in sexual health: Problems and dilemmas. The European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care, 10(4), 207-211.
Rafie, S., McIntosh, J., Gardner, D. K., Gawronski, K. M., Karaoui, L. R., Koepf, E. R., et al. (2013). Over-the-Counter Access to Emergency Contraception without Age Restriction: An Opinion of the Women’s Health Practice and Research Network of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. Macotherapy V, 33(5), 549-557.
Trivedi, D. (2013). Cochrane review summary: education for contraceptive use by women after childbirth. Primary Health Care Research & Development, 14(02), 109-112.
