| Table 1. Number of providers citing specified reasons for various restrictions on clients' access to contraceptive methods, by restriction and reason, according to method |
| Reason |
Progestin-only pill |
Combined pill |
Injectable |
IUD |
| Spousal consent |
N=46 |
N=46 |
N=46 |
N=37 |
| Family planning is a decision for both partners |
15 |
14 |
16 |
11 |
| Spouse may oppose use/choice of family planning |
8 |
9 |
5 |
6 |
| Provider may be blamed for problems |
8 |
8 |
11 |
7 |
| Husband may repudiate/punish wife |
9 |
9 |
4 |
6 |
| Method may cause infertility |
2 |
2 |
9 |
1 |
| Family planning may lead to infidelity |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| Method requires husband's knowledge |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
| Other |
3 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
| Minimum age restrictions |
N=41 |
N=41 |
N=71 |
N=24 |
| Family planning is only for married couples |
17 |
14 |
5 |
5 |
| Method may cause (temporary) infertility |
3 |
3 |
44 |
1 |
| To discourage indiscriminate sex |
2 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
| Risk of complications is higher in young women |
7 |
9 |
5 |
1 |
| Verify fertility/avoid blame for infertility |
2 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
| Family planning is unsafe for young women |
4 |
4 |
1 |
4 |
| Other |
6 |
6 |
12 |
10 |
| Maximum age restrictions |
N=47 |
N=47 |
N=37 |
N=22 |
| Client is menopausal, so there is no need for family planning |
14 |
15 |
24 |
17 |
| Method is dangerous for older clients |
23 |
25 |
7 |
2 |
| Method may cause early menopause |
1 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
| Method is unacceptable to older clients |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| Other |
9 |
7 |
2 |
1 |
| Minimum parity requirements |
N=32 |
N=32 |
N=80 |
N=33 |
| Delayed fertility or infertility |
24 |
24 |
75 |
13 |
| Cervix/uterus is too tight in nulliparous women |
na |
na |
na |
13 |
| Hidden diseases appear after birth of first child |
2 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
| If infertile, client may blame provider/method |
3 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
| Other |
3 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
| Note: na=not applicable. |
