FAMILY PLANNING AWARENESS AND DECISION-MAKING AMONG MARRIED MUSLIM WOMEN: FROM GENDER PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Family planning awareness is an important factor of safe motherhood initiatives. It is associated with positive changes in health and health related outcomes. Gender stereotype and patriarchal norm may influence on family planning matters. The study aimed at exploring awareness and decision-making assessment regarding family planning among Muslim women from gender perspective. A total of 50 married Malay women were participated from the state of Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. The results revealed that women tended to have awareness towards family planning as the majority of participants believed that practicing family planning is necessary for quality health among the children, providing quality education for children and for a healthy family. Moreover, the findings of the study showed that gender norms influenced on family planning decision among married Malay women. The study suggests that there is a necessity to take efforts for behavioral and ideological changes to men and women through either advocacy or education.