'Columbia University Libraries/Information Services'
Doi
Abstract
While effective and affordable contraceptive methods have been developed over past decades, the unmet need for contraception among girls and women remains high across the globe. Many factors contribute to this unmet need globally, including lack of access to contraception, gender norms, religious or cultural restrictions, fear of side-effects, and provider bias. Rates of unmet need for contraception are higher in the Philippines than the global average among all demographic groups, but they are the highest among unmarried adolescents aged 15- 19. This age group represents the population most in need of contraception and, as such, they are left overwhelmingly unprotected from unwanted pregnancy. Despite this knowledge, there is a gap in the current literature specific to the unique political and religious context of the Philippines about factors responsible for limiting contraception use among the key population of adolescent girls. Thus, this research proposal offers a qualitative approach to exploring the barriers that girls themselves report to face when accessing contraception, as well as the barriers that healthcare providers and educators observe. Additionally, the proposed research aims to better understand the role of sexual education in increasing contraception use among the population. Ultimately, the proposed study seeks to give a voice to an often marginalized and underrepresented group and advance the current knowledge of factors that influence a girl’s ability to access contraception
