| The use of effective family planning has been shown to improve the health and overall well-being of women in developing countries, and in turn, that of their families and communities. This qualitative study explores and describes the contraceptive experiences of young women, ages 18-30, in Ocotal, Nicaragua. Using the Social Ecological Model (McLeroy, Bibeau, Steckler, & Glanz, 1988), it identifies the specific intrapersonal, interpersonal, community, and policy level factors that facilitate and/or impede the use of effective family planning among this population. Data gathered from 29 women using freelisting and pilesorting elicitation techniques, and semi-structured interviews, reveal that various factors influence the contraceptive decision-making process including fear of side effects, perceived STD risk, influence of social networks, gender norms and expectations, and the availability and accessibility of family planning services. Implications for community health education research and practice in this Nicaraguan community are discussed. |
