Hankiz Dolan1,2, Mu Li3, Deborah Bateson4,5, Rachel Thompson3,6, Chun Wah Michael Tam7,8, Carissa Bonner3,6, Lyndal Trevena3,6. 1. School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Room 125, Edward Ford Building, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia. hekp5025@uni.sydney.edu.au. 2. Ask, Share, Know: Rapid Evidence for General Practice Decision (ASK-GP), Centre for Research Excellence, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia. hekp5025@uni.sydney.edu.au. 3. School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Room 125, Edward Ford Building, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia. 4. Family Planning NSW, Sydney, NSW, 2131, Australia. 5. Discipline of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Neonatology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia. 6. Ask, Share, Know: Rapid Evidence for General Practice Decision (ASK-GP), Centre for Research Excellence, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia. 7. Primary and Integrated Care Unit, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW, 2170, Australia. 8. School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In Australia, ethnic Chinese people are one of the largest, youngest and fastest growing overseas-born groups. Yet, little is known about their perceptions of contraceptive methods and their experiences with choosing one. Decisions about contraceptive methods are preference sensitive. Understanding the influencing factors of Chinese migrant women's contraceptive method choice and practices will help cater to their decision-making needs in a culturally sensitive and responsive way. METHODS: A qualitative study design underpinned by critical realism approach was used to explore Chinese migrant women's perceptions and experiences of choosing contraceptive methods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 women who self-identified as being ethnically Chinese and had been living in Australia for no more than 10 years. The interview guide was adapted from the Ottawa Decision Support Framework. Majority of the interviews were conducted in Mandarin Chinese. Transcribed data was analysed using thematic analysis method. RESULTS: Four major themes were identified, including: 'every medicine is part poison: hormonal contraceptives cause harm to the body'; 'intrauterine device, a device used in the past for married women'; 'it takes two (or one) to decide, depending on the relationship dynamics and contraception preferences'; and 'it is not necessary to seek medical advice in choosing contraceptive methods'. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that Chinese migrant women's perceptions and experiences of choosing contraceptive methods are influenced by complex personal, cultural, societal and inter-relational factors. Chinese migrant women were cautious of using hormonal methods due to fears of side-effects, including reduced or absent menstrual bleeding. Women were also reluctant to consider intrauterine devices as options due to associating them with past experiences of other women and themselves and also fears of potential complications. There was a reluctant attitude towards seeking medical advice regarding contraception due to beliefs that needing to use contraception is not an illness requiring treatment. Such findings are likely to be useful in increasing healthcare professionals' and policy makers' understanding of Chinese migrant women's contraceptive method preferences, beliefs and behaviours. They also help to develop culturally and linguistically sensitive strategies, which goes beyond the provision of contraceptive counselling, in assisting Chinese migrant women's decision-making needs.
BACKGROUND: In Australia, ethnic Chinese people are one of the largest, youngest and fastest growing overseas-born groups. Yet, little is known about their perceptions of contraceptive methods and their experiences with choosing one. Decisions about contraceptive methods are preference sensitive. Understanding the influencing factors of Chinese migrant women's contraceptive method choice and practices will help cater to their decision-making needs in a culturally sensitive and responsive way. METHODS: A qualitative study design underpinned by critical realism approach was used to explore Chinese migrant women's perceptions and experiences of choosing contraceptive methods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 women who self-identified as being ethnically Chinese and had been living in Australia for no more than 10 years. The interview guide was adapted from the Ottawa Decision Support Framework. Majority of the interviews were conducted in Mandarin Chinese. Transcribed data was analysed using thematic analysis method. RESULTS: Four major themes were identified, including: 'every medicine is part poison: hormonal contraceptives cause harm to the body'; 'intrauterine device, a device used in the past for married women'; 'it takes two (or one) to decide, depending on the relationship dynamics and contraception preferences'; and 'it is not necessary to seek medical advice in choosing contraceptive methods'. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that Chinese migrant women's perceptions and experiences of choosing contraceptive methods are influenced by complex personal, cultural, societal and inter-relational factors. Chinese migrant women were cautious of using hormonal methods due to fears of side-effects, including reduced or absent menstrual bleeding. Women were also reluctant to consider intrauterine devices as options due to associating them with past experiences of other women and themselves and also fears of potential complications. There was a reluctant attitude towards seeking medical advice regarding contraception due to beliefs that needing to use contraception is not an illness requiring treatment. Such findings are likely to be useful in increasing healthcare professionals' and policy makers' understanding of Chinese migrant women's contraceptive method preferences, beliefs and behaviours. They also help to develop culturally and linguistically sensitive strategies, which goes beyond the provision of contraceptive counselling, in assisting Chinese migrant women's decision-making needs.
Entities:
Keywords:
Chinese migrant women; Contraception; Critical realism; Decision-making
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