Perceptions of Contraceptive Use and Preconception Counselling among Women with Diabetes, Hypertension, and Rheumatic Heart Disease: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) pose a significant threat to maternal health. Women with NCDs should use contraceptive methods or seek preconception counselling to manage pregnancy risks. However, there is an unmet need for contraceptive use and preconception counselling among women with NCDs in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Rwanda.

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to explore the perceptions of women with NCDs regarding contraceptive use and preconception counselling in Rwanda.

METHODS

A phenomenological qualitative design was employed, with data collected through in-depth interviews of 28 women with NCDs from two district hospitals. Participants were selected using purposive sampling, and thematic analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

Two themes emerged from the analysis: (1) perceptions of contraceptive use and (2) access to preconception counselling services. Participants indicated that contraceptive use was influenced primarily by financial constraints, social and familial pressures, and religious beliefs, rather than their perceptions of pregnancy-related risks, and they also reported limited access to preconception counselling services.

CONCLUSIONS

Contraceptive use among women with NCDs is influenced by financial, social, and religious factors rather than their health conditions. Limited access to preconception counselling services is a constraint that is likely to affect maternal and neonatal health, and therefore it should be strengthened.