I am extremely grateful for the patience, sacrifice, love and understanding of my lovely daughter Sayuri Costumado. I am very grateful to the women who participated in this study for their rich contributions.
INTRODUCTION
PROBLEM STATEMENT
According to Dallao & Greene (2011), obstructed labor causes obstetric fistula that can lead to the death of the child and young. Overall, self-reported data from the Demographic Health Survey (DHS) in SSA showed that 1%–11% of sexually active women aged 15–24 had an STI in the 12 months prior to the survey interview (Bankole et al. ., 2009).
RESEARCH QUESTION
7 Girls between the ages of 15 and 19 have been exposed to unsafe abortion practices to a greater extent than older women (Shah & Ahman, 2009; Glasier, 2006). Data showed that unsafe abortion still accounts for about 13% of maternal mortality, resulting in approximately 47,000 maternal deaths due to unsafe abortion annually worldwide (WHO, 2011).
STUDY MOTIVATION
In Mozambique, I participated in research on sexual and reproductive health and women's reproductive health issues and participated in projects aimed at providing information and materials for the protection of sexual and reproductive health and women's rights, with an emphasis on family planning methods. Furthermore, there are still gaps in knowledge in identifying the best strategies to end early marriage and its negative effects on women's and children's health, as its incidence remains high in developing countries such as those in the SSA region, especially in countries in transition , such as Mozambique (Svanemyr et al., 2015).
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This can be done by using the voices and experiences of young women who married early to identify the factors that prevent and/or promote the use of ANC and contraceptive options in Namaacha District, Mozambique. In addition, the results of the study would help policy makers and other local government officials to determine whether the respondents.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD
9 The study will therefore increase the availability of evidence regarding the recent SRHR status of Mozambican married women (married before the age of 18) so that measures to improve their health can be implemented. The study may also provide recommendations to improve the quality of service utilization and access for young women who marry early in Namaacha, Mozambique.
ETHICAL CONSIDERATION
10 informed about the confidentiality of the data collected and the process to ensure its anonymity, including the use of pseudonyms, labels and codes. Additionally, no married women from the same family or living in the same household were selected during the participant selection process to ensure the confidentiality of the information collected from them.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Explaining women's use of mother issues through the social structures of gender and power theory. The theory of gender and power has identified determinants that influence women's use of health services, particularly in relation to SRHR.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
A study conducted in Ghana found that female respondents believe that the use of modern contraceptive methods promotes promiscuity (Elliason et al., 2014). This may happen because these women were aware of the benefits of using the services (O'Connell et al., 2015;
STRUCTURE OF DISSERTATION
SUMMARY
This chapter presented the background for this study as well as described the research problem, the study's purpose and research questions, significance and motivation for the study. In addition to this, the next chapter will present the background of Mozambique, the study site.
SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC AND ECONOMIC
STRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION OF THE MOZAMBICAN HEALTH SECTOR
This increase is the result of the increase in the proportion of skilled health providers in the country (See Table 2). However, this increase in the proportion of skilled health providers in the country cannot yet sustain the health needs of all patients.
EARLY MARRIAGE
According to Lakew et al. 2013), Muslim married women were 30% less likely to use modern contraceptive methods than Christian women. Another study by Oshako et al. 2015) indicated that husbands' influence on women's decision to use modern contraceptive methods is due to their need for control and misconceptions about family planning methods. This confirms the findings of MISAU et al. 2016) who reported that nationally only 54% of women's needs for modern contraceptives were covered.
Thus, this study agrees with the findings of studies by Shattuck et al. 2011) who argued that men's support for women's decision to use contraceptives increases the likelihood that they will accept the use of contraceptive methods. Findings from the study by Solo et al. 2005) corroborate Tomasia's argument that family traditions such as polygamy may influence women's decision not to use family planning methods. Findings from this study also corroborate findings from O'Connell et al. 2015) who argued that knowledge about maternal health issues is an influencing factor in women's decision to use ANC services.
MODERN CONTRACEPTIVES METHODS FOR YOUNG MARRIED WOMEN
ANTENATAL CARE ATTENDANCE AMONG YOUNG MARRIED WOMEN67
A study by Singh et al. 2012) conducted in India indicated that women without education showed low ANC participation rates, estimated at 7%. A study conducted in Ethiopia showed that 90% of women with tertiary education attended ANC services with the help of qualified staff (Tarekegn et al., 2014). A study by Gymah et al. 2006) conducted in Ghana using data from DHS (2003) found that Christian women reported using more ANC services.
Older women, with a high number of previous pregnancies (two to five previous births), were less likely to use ANC services compared to their younger counterparts (MISAU et al., 2013;.
SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW
79 girls are at risk of exposure to intimate partner violence, which will influence their decision to seek appropriate medical care such as using modern contraceptive methods or seeking ANC during pregnancy. The second section of this chapter presented and discussed data on modern patterns of contraceptive use among married women in developing countries, the determinants that influence women's decision to use contraceptives, and the impact of modern contraceptive methods on the well-being of women. women. Regional disparities in the proportion of married women using modern contraceptive methods were also found between and within regions.
80 modern contraceptive use by eliminating the barriers that affect its use can have a positive impact on women's well-being, especially for their SRH.
- SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC BACKGROUND OF NAMAACHA DISTRICT-STUDY
- RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGICAL STUDY DESCRIPTION
- STUDY POPULATION
- SAMPLING PROCEDURES FOR PARTICIPANTS SELECTION
- DATA COLLECTION METHODS
- DATA ANALISYS METHODS
- ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
86 According to Babbie and Mouton (2001), sampling is the process of selecting a portion of the study population. Through the snowball, three participants in the study introduced to the researcher three other women who fit the criteria to participate in the study. The study's principal investigator conducted a 3-day training regimen for the research assistant so that she could understand the aims and objectives of the study.
Note that the interpretation of the findings was based on pre-existing knowledge from the literature regarding the objectives of the study and on the principles of gender and power theory.
RESULTS
PARTICIPANTS DEMOGRAPHICS AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC
Antonia was born in Namaacha District and was 48 years old at the time of the interview. Francisca was born in Namaacha District and was 37 years old at the time of the interview. Joana was born in Namaacha District and was 29 years old at the time of the interview.
At the time of the interview, she was 22 years old and her husband was 32 years old.
DESCRIPTIVE FINDINGS
On the other hand, none of the participants described using modern contraceptive methods before their marriage. Therefore, most participants believed that women themselves should have the right to decide whether or not to use modern contraceptive methods. For Paula, it is the woman's body and thus she must decide whether or not to use modern contraceptive methods, regardless of her husband's involvement or approval.
Most participants described support from their community and peers in using modern contraceptive methods.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
According to their experience with the use of modern contraception, all participants mentioned knowledge of family planning and were able to list some of the modern contraceptive methods currently available. Participants in this study described a number of determinants that influence women's decision to use modern contraceptives effectively and regularly. Participants said that communities, including local leaders and religious institutions, understood the benefits of family planning methods for the well-being of women and families, and therefore motivated women in the community to use the devices.
These participants mentioned that women are informed about the benefits of different family planning methods and have easy access to equipment.
DISCUSSION
DISCUSSION IN RELATION TO THE THEORY OF GENDER AND POWER 140
This study also validates recent findings by MISAU et al. 2015) with data from (IMASIDA, 2015) which also showed higher fertility levels in the country, estimated at 5.3 children per woman. These findings are consistent with findings from Pell et al. 2013) research on the determinants that influence ANC presence in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi. These findings are consistent with findings from other studies (Gill et al., 2007; Simkhada et al., 2010;
This finding is in line with the findings from the study by Pell et al. 2013) who argued that lack of knowledge about pregnancy symptoms is one of the reasons why women delay or do not use ANC services.
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
Furthermore, this study can inform policymakers about the state of maternal health care services available to women in Namaacha District through the women's own experience of using it. Evidence suggests that the SSA region has a higher prevalence of early marriage and its impact on women's well-being, particularly their sexual and reproductive health. This study therefore showed that early marriage had a negative effect on women's well-being and further growth opportunities.
Therefore, interventions aimed at improving women's SRHR including the use of modern contraceptive methods and ANC attendance during pregnancy should be developed based on the local context.
STRENGH OF THIS STUDY, IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY AND FURTHER
CONCLUSION
The introductory chapter of this thesis presented the trend of maternal health in developing countries, especially the background of women's rights and the practice of SRHR. By understanding the general situation regarding women's exercise of individual rights, this study found that participants faced several challenges that prevented them from accessing and using maternal health services effectively, including modern contraceptive methods and ANC during pregnancy. 180 factors influencing women's decision to use maternal health services such as modern contraceptives and ANC during pregnancy as it relates to their overall experience of maternal health services and practice of SRHR.
The young participants in this study were very articulate and, despite their low level of education, expressed an understanding of women's rights, especially the right to education, health and to decide how many children they want.
RECOMMENDATIONS
These strategies, developed by the Girls not Brides partners, emphasize, among other things, girls' empowerment and the provision of a variety of services (education, health and finance) to both girls at risk of being child brides and the already married girls. support. Improving girls' professional skills so they can have better chances of getting a job and earning money;. Strengthening and implementing existing laws, policies and agreements aimed at protecting girls' rights and creating sanctions against the perpetrators of these illegal practices.
On the other hand, other measures to protect young girls from early marriage were proposed by UNICEF (2005) and include: promoting the equal participation of boys and girls in school, breaking the discriminatory social norms in education.
Interview Guide 1 (Snapshot- 1 st phase) - English version
Interview Guide 1 (Snapshot- 1 st phase) -Portuguese version
Interview guide 2 (life grid-in depht-2 nd phase) English
Interview guide 2 (life grid-in depht-2 nd phase) Portuguese
Informed consent-English version
Informed consent- Portuguese version
Declaration of participant
Declaration of participant
