The evaluation of contraceptive accessibility in urban and rural areas highlights the various challenges and opportunities that are involved in ensuring fair reproductive healthcare. Our findings reveal that the accessibility of contraceptives is influenced by a multitude of factors, including geographic, logistical, economic, sociocultural, and policy-related factors.
Urban areas generally have better infrastructure, such as more healthcare facilities and better transportation networks, which contributes to better accessibility of contraceptive services. In contrast, rural settings face a range of challenges, including limited healthcare facilities, transportation barriers, and sociocultural factors that affect awareness and usage.
Affordability is a crucial concern, with economic factors like income disparities and transportation costs hindering contraceptive accessibility in both urban and rural areas.
We conducted stakeholder interviews that provided qualitative insights. These revealed that community engagement, culturally sensitive approaches, and targeted awareness campaigns are crucial in overcoming barriers to contraceptive access. Sociocultural factors were identified as influential determinants that shape attitudes towards contraceptives, emphasising the need for tailored interventions that consider local beliefs and practices.
Policy implications also emerged, highlighting the need for comprehensive and inclusive healthcare policies that address regional variations and bridge existing gaps in contraceptive accessibility. Our evaluation forms a foundation for evidence-based recommendations aimed at fostering a more equitable landscape for contraceptive access, encompassing targeted awareness programs, improved transportation infrastructure, and strategic policy reforms.
Moving forward, it is crucial to implement these recommendations proactively to ensure universal access to contraceptives, irrespective of geographical location. By fostering collaboration between healthcare providers, policymakers, and community leaders, we can work towards a future where individuals in both urban and rural settings have unimpeded access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare, thus empowering them to make informed choices about their reproductive well-being.
