Open AccessFamily planning demand generation in Rwanda: Government efforts at the national and community level impact interpersonal communication and family norms
Author(s) -
Julia Corey,
Hilary Schwandt,
Angel Boulware,
Ana María Trejos Herrera,
Ethan Hudler,
Claudette Imbabazi,
Ilia King,
Jessica Linus,
Innocent Manzi,
Madelyn Merrit,
Lyn Mezier,
Abigail Miller,
Haley Morris,
Dieudonne Musemakweli,
Uwase Musekura,
Divine Mutuyimana,
Chimene Ntakarutimana,
Nikunj Patel,
Adriana Scanteianu,
Biganette-Evidente Shemeza,
Gi’anna Sterling-Donaldson,
Chantal Umutoni,
Lyse Uwera,
Madeleine Zeiler,
Seth Feinberg
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0266520
Subject(s) - misinformation , family planning , interpersonal communication , taboo , government (linguistics) , focus group , mass media , normative , public relations , population , political science , social psychology , medicine , psychology , sociology , environmental health , linguistics , philosophy , anthropology , law , research methodology
Between 2005 and 2020, total contraceptive use among married women in Rwanda increased from 17% to 64%. The aim of this study is to better understand how the Rwandan government’s mobilization and demand generation efforts have impacted community norms and interpersonal discourse surrounding family planning. Eight focus group discussions with family planning providers and 32 in-depth interviews with experienced modern contraceptive users were conducted in 2018 in the two Rwandan districts with the highest and the lowest contraceptive prevalence rates. Results suggest that outspoken government support, mass media, and community meetings were valuable sources of information about family planning. Information received through these channels generated interpersonal dialogue about contraceptives through both conversation and observation; however, rumors and misinformation remained a significant barrier to use. A once taboo subject is now normative among married couples. Continuing to address common fears and misinformation through communication channels such as mass media and community meetings may help to further increase contraceptive uptake in Rwanda.