Objectives: The study aimed to provide a deeper understanding of the gender-related determinants and organisational structure of primary health care that shape contraceptive use among disadvantaged women living in a developing Islamic country where family planning services are affected by health care reforms.
Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in three disadvantaged neighbourhoods in the metropolitan district of Bornova, Izmir. A purposive sampling method with maximum diversity was used to obtain a study sample of 43 women. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analysed using a coding paradigm of grounded theory.
Results: Three themes emerged from the analysis, namely, factors affecting participants' number of children, experiences with using contraceptive methods, and use of family planning services at family health centres. Despite a desire to limit their number of children and a positive view of contraception, women in the study faced gender-related barriers to accessing family planning services. Their statements indicate significant deficiencies in terms of provision of contraception and family planning consultations at family health centres.
Conclusion: For disadvantaged women living in conservative areas, family planning is a fragile exercise. Gender-sensitive primary care services are essential to ensure access to everyone in the community.
Keywords: Disadvantaged women; family planning; gender; qualitative study.