Barriers to uptake of Bilateral Tubal Ligation (BTL) family planning
method among grand-multiparous women in the Copperbelt province, Zambia:
An Exploratory Qualitative Design
Abstract
Objective: This qualitative study explored the barriers towards the
uptake of Bilateral Tubal Ligation (BTL) among grand-multiparous women.
Study design: The study used an exploratory qualitative methodology.
Study Setting: research participants were drawn from the Copperbelt
communities. Study Population: Grand multiparous women Methods:
Semi-structured interviews were utilised to collect data. Twenty-five
semi-structured interviews were held with grand multiparous women who
were attending clinics for family planning services. All interviews were
audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic approach underpinned
by some aspects of the Silences Framework was utilised for data
analysis. Results: The study revealed that barriers to the uptake of BTL
included desire to maintain productivity, pressure from spouses,
stigmatisation of family planning, safety fears and loss of self-esteem.
Conclusion: our findings show that there is need to engage women in
communities to make sure that their family planning needs are
effectively addressed. Key words: Multiparity, Women, Bilateral Tubal
Ligation, Mortality