Amman: A study released by the Higher Population Council (HPC) in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) highlighted geographic and social disparities in the use of family planning methods in Jordan, identifying education, economic status, nationality, location, and access to health services as key factors influencing reproductive health decisions.
According to Jordan News Agency, the findings were unveiled during a meeting held Monday to launch the study, which examined differences between users of modern and traditional family planning methods and those with unmet needs, with the aim of supporting targeted interventions that improve equitable access to services.
HPC Secretary-General Issa Masarweh noted the study reflects a rights-based approach focused on strengthening couples' ability to make their own reproductive decisions. He emphasized the importance of reproductive health policies and programs in supporting development and improving primary health care.
Masarweh highlighted the study's findings on geographic and social disparities in family planning method use across governorates, with unmet need reaching 10.8% nationally and rising to 23.6% in Mafraq. He indicated that the rates also varied by education level and economic well-being.
Loai Abu Samour, head of the study's research team, presented its findings, which identified education, economic empowerment, location, nationality, age, reproductive preferences, number of living children, spousal discussion of decisions, and quality of interaction with the health system as significant factors influencing family planning decisions.
The study found that higher education levels were associated with a greater likelihood of using any family planning method, modern or traditional. Women in higher wealth brackets were more likely to use family planning methods compared to those in lower brackets.
Nationality was also a significant factor, with Syrian women about 30% less likely to use modern methods compared to Jordanian women. The unmet need was about 40% higher among Syrian women and women of other nationalities, attributed to overlapping cultural and social factors, reproductive preferences, and displacement experiences.
The study revealed a relationship between the number of living children and the preferred number of children, influencing the use of family planning methods. Women with more children were more likely to use these methods.
Regarding age, the study found that traditional method use rises among older women, particularly those over 40, and among those who married before age 20. Modern methods showed higher use rates among younger women, especially those marrying between ages 20 and 24. Unmet needs were more likely to be met with age, but marrying later correlated with lower chances of unmet needs being met.
Regional disparities were evident, with Mafraq, Karak, and Ma'an recording the lowest rates of modern method use. Women in rural areas were less likely to have their needs met compared to urban areas.
The study recommended updating legislation and policies to align with international human rights standards, focusing on vulnerable groups, and integrating family planning into universal health coverage. It also called for strengthening the health system, addressing infrastructure gaps, providing qualified staff, and unifying service packages.
It further recommended investing in human resources, enhancing midwifery, increasing qualified midwives, and developing guidance skills. Community and digital approaches were suggested to support reproductive health.
Health Ministry Secretary-General for Primary Health Care and Epidemics Riyad Shiyab stated that the ministry continues to develop and expand reproductive health services within the primary health care system, with 595 health centers providing free family planning services.
UNFPA representative in Jordan Himyar Abdulmoghni emphasized the study's importance in translating data into knowledge that guides decision-makers and supports national policies and programs. The fund will continue supporting efforts to link evidence to national plans and strengthen equitable health responses.