Family planning services in Sri Lanka: Clients’ nonmedical expectations and the health systems responsiveness

Authors

  • WLSP Perera Health and International Development, Discipline of Public Health, School of Medicine, Flinders University, Adelaide
  • Lillian Mwanri Health and International Development, Discipline of Public Health, School of Medicine, Flinders University, Adelaide
  • Rohini De A Seneviratne Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo
  • Thushara Fernnando World Health Organization, Dhaka

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v2i1.15266

Keywords:

Health system responsiveness, Family planning, Clients’ choice, Clinic environment, Ease of access to services, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Nonmedical expectations of the service seekers is an integral component of care that must be given due respect by the healthcare providers in delivering health services. This paper presents findings of a qualitative study conducted exploring the many dimensions of health systems responsiveness (HSR) in relation to family planning (FP) services provided by the government public health sector of Sri Lanka. Clients visiting the government FP clinics in Colombo district were interviewed using a semi structured moderator guide. Interviews covered three core domains of HSR including (i) clinic environment, (ii) ease of access to services and (iii) clients choice. Content analysis was carried out identifying themes around the domains. In relation to domain clinic environment, three subthemes were identified. These included (i) expectations from a free service, (ii) disorganization and (iii) sanitary facilities. Similarly, five subthemes emerged under the domain ease of access to services, namely, (i) outreach clinics, (ii) domiciliary services, (iii) social networking at MCH clinics, (iv) poly clinic/combined clinic setting and (v) working clients. In relation to the domain clients choice three subthemes emerged including, (i) service provider selecting the method, (ii) selecting the service provider and (iii) selecting the clinic. The findings emphasize that the healthcare providers must be enlightened on nonmedical aspects of service delivery and HSR must be taken into consideration in delivering FP services.

South East Asia J Public Health | Jan-June 2012 | Vol 2 Issue 1 | 54-59

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v2i1.15266

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Published

2013-06-11

How to Cite

Perera, W., Mwanri, L., Seneviratne, R. D. A., & Fernnando, T. (2013). Family planning services in Sri Lanka: Clients’ nonmedical expectations and the health systems responsiveness. South East Asia Journal of Public Health, 2(1), 54–59. https://doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v2i1.15266

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2012)

Section

Original Research

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