Marshallese Mothers’ and Marshallese Maternal Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives on Contraceptive Use and Reproductive Life Planning Practices and Influences

Abstract

Pacific Islander communities experience significant maternal and infant health disparities including high maternal and infant mortality. Contraception and reproductive life planning prevent approximately one-third of pregnancy-related deaths and neonatal deaths. We report the results of formative research devoted to understanding Marshallese mothers’ as well as their maternal healthcare providers’ practices and influences related to contraceptive use and reproductive life planning. This study used an exploratory, descriptive qualitative design to explore Marshallese mothers’ and maternal healthcare providers’ practices and influences of contraception use and reproductive life planning. Twenty participants were enrolled in the study, 15 Marshallese mothers and five Marshallese maternal healthcare providers. For the Marshallese mothers, two themes emerged: (1) Reproductive Life Planning Practices and Information; and (2) Reproductive Life Planning Influences. For the Marshallese maternal healthcare providers, two themes emerged: (1) Reproductive Life Planning Practices; and (2) Reproductive Life Planning Influences. This is the first study to document Marshallese mothers’ and maternal healthcare providers’ practices and influences with contraceptive use and reproductive life planning. Study results will inform the development of a culturally-adapted contraception and reproductive life planning tool with an educational program for Marshallese family units and maternal healthcare providers serving Marshallese women.