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Contraceptive preferences, beliefs and behaviors among women of reproductive age in the United Arab Emirates

Mahera AbdulRahman1*, Halah M. Farajallah1, Mahra N. Kazim2, Fatema E. AlHammadi2, Amani S. AlZubaidi2 and Frederick R. Carrick3, 4, 5, 6
  • 1 Dubai Health Authority, United Arab Emirates
  • 2 Ministry of Health (United Arab Emirates), United Arab Emirates
  • 3 Bedfordshire Centre for Mental Health Research in association with the University of Cambridge (BCMHR-CU), Neurology, United Kingdom
  • 4 University of Central Florida College of Medicine, United States
  • 5 Massachusetts General Hospital Health Professions Institute, United States
  • 6 Carrick Institute, United States

Objectives: Women in the UAE and Muslim countries are a largely understudied population with significant disparities in knowledge to most basic health concerns and family planning. We aimed to investigate variations in contraceptive preferences, beliefs and behaviors affecting fertility, as well as factors associated with the use of contraception among women of reproductive age in UAE. Our objective was to identify UAE contraceptive knowledge similarites and variances to other world regions and to inform efforts to improve contraceptive care at Arab world and Muslim countries. Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study using a structured questionnaire consisting of four functional domains: socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, beliefs and attitudes related to contraception methods. Results: The use of effective contraception methods was associated with higher educational levels of UAE national women who desired to conceive children. These women had knowledge of contraception that was associated with an identified impact of their spouce on their choice of contraception. Religion plays an essential role in knowledge on the risk of contraception and safe type of contraceptive methods in the UAE. Statistically significant predictors of having knowledge on different methods of contraception were nationality, p = 0.002; education level, p = 0.03; number of marriages p = 0.002; monthly income, p = 0.04; and the number of children, p = 0.015, Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that higher education and communication of the benefits and risks of different types of contraceptive methods are needed to improve the use of contraception in the UAE population. We recommend additional training in this area for health care providers as well as all men and women. A functional neurological approach to maximize learning using an evidence based pedagogy may increase learning and maximize appropriate utilization of best contraceptive methodology. The involvement of the spouse in the mutual understanding of contraception and its choice coupled with third party insurance coverage may decrease knowledge and utilization gaps further assisting in providing a best contraceptive method.

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Acknowledgements

Appreciation is expressed to all women who participated in the study. Special thanks to the assistance from the Dubai Health Authority, BCMHR in association with the University of Cambridge and the Carrick Institute

References

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Keywords: Contraception, Women's Health, Family Planning (FP), United Arab Emirates, Functional Neurology

Conference: International Symposium on Clinical Neuroscience, Orlando, United States, 24 May - 26 May, 2019.

Presentation Type: Poster Presentation

Topic: Clinical Neuroscience

Citation: AbdulRahman M, Farajallah HM, Kazim MN, AlHammadi FE, AlZubaidi AS and Carrick FR (2019). Contraceptive preferences, beliefs and behaviors among women of reproductive age in the United Arab Emirates. Front. Neurol. Conference Abstract: International Symposium on Clinical Neuroscience. doi: 10.3389/conf.fneur.2019.62.00044

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Received: 07 Apr 2019; Published Online: 27 Sep 2019.

* Correspondence: Dr. Mahera AbdulRahman, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, dr.m.abdulrahman@gmail.com