Materials by Country :

Azerbaijan

In 2012, RESPOND partner FHI 360 led the implementation of a descriptive study to explore the ways in which informal payments for health care may create disincentives for providers to promote family (FP), as well as contributing to a high abortion rate and to low prevalence of modern FP methods. The results of interviews conducted with obstetrician-gynecologists, as well as with abortion, antenatal care, and FP clients, suggest that the determinants of low FP use are complex and involve both financial and nonfinancial factors.

Reproductive Health and Family Planning Services Received by Public-Sector Clients in Baku, Azerbaijan (Report No. 11)
Azerbaijan has a markedly low prevalence of modern contraceptive use, as well as high abortion rates. In addition, public-sector clients often make informal payments to health care providers for services they should receive free of charge. In 2012, RESPOND interviewed clients and obstetrician-gynecologists in Baku, Azerbaijan, to examine factors related to contraceptive adoption, abortion usage, and the health care system. While a sizable number of abortion clients say they intend to use a modern contraceptive method in the future, many fear potential side effects and hold exaggerated ideas about these. Abortion clients are rarely counseled about contraceptives, and ob-gyns often lack adequate knowledge to provide comprehensive counseling. Providers also sometimes require women beginning use of a modern method to go through an array of tests and make multiple follow-up visits. Future efforts to improve services there should focus on educating both clients and health care providers about contraception, as well as minimizing the financial barriers imposed by excessive tests and procedures.
Available in English (PDF, 1.9 MB) and Azerbaijani (PDF, 2.7 MB)

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