Factors Influencing Reproductive Health Decision-Making

Abstract

This chapter aims at explaining how social, cultural, and especially religious factors influence willingness to seek knowledge of and the decision to actually use contraception with particular emphasis on modern methods and induced abortion. To delineate some of these determinants and better understand reproductive health decision- making processes, we conducted a qualitative study with 16 key informants in a diverse, low- income neighborhood of Istanbul, Turkey. The objective of the study was to better understand key actors’ perceptions within the health care system and the community, and their willingness to share their own experiences and insights on reproductive health- related issues. Our findings show that multiple perspectives need to be considered for an adequate understanding of reproductive health decision- making processes, such as cultural norms, the role of male partners, social networks, sources of information, fatalism, and religious beliefs. © 2024 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.