Family planning and Afghan refugee women and men living in Melbourne, Australia : new opportunities and transcultural tensions

Abstract

This research aimed to explore the family planning perspectivesand experiences of Afghan women and men living in Melbourne.A total of 57 Afghan women and men participated in six focusgroups and 20 semi-structured interviews. The majority ofparticipants indicated a preference for two or three children andwere open to using modern contraception. However, manywomen described experiencing negative side effects when usinghormone-based contraception and expressed difficulty negotiat-ing condom use with their husbands as an alternative. Somewomen described how these difficulties resulted in inconsistentcontraceptive practices and, at times, unintended pregnancy.Participants recognised that health professionals have animportant role in addressing their family planning needs. Thisstudy highlights the ways in which Afghan women and men arechanging in relation to their family planning beliefs and practices,and the opportunities, challenges and transcultural tensions theyexperience as they navigate these issues in Australia.