Reproductive Health in Afghanistan

Results of a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Survey among Afghan Women in Kabul

Dados Bibliográficos

ID3144242
AutoresKathia Van Egmond (Ghent University), Marleen Bosmans (Ghent University), Ahmad Jan Naeem (0000-0003-4305-5717, World Health Organization - Afghanistan), Patricia Claeys (Ghent University), Hans Verstraelen (0000-0002-4070-1587, Ghent University Hospital), Marleen Temmerman (0000-0003-2069-8752, Ghent University Hospital)
Ano2004
Volume28
Fascículo3
Páginas269-282
Data de publicação2004-09-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoDisasters (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0361-3666 • E-ISSN: 1467-7717
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.0361-3666.2004.00258.x
PMID15344941
OpenAlexW1880786656
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas14
Referências citadas14

A reproductive-health knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) survey was carried out among 468 Afghan women of reproductive age. A convenience sample of women was selected from attendees in the outpatient departments of four health facilities in Kabul. Seventy-nine per cent of respondents had attended at least one antenatal consultation during their last pregnancy. Two-thirds (67 per cent) delivered their first child between 13 and 19 years. The Caesarean-section rate was low (1.6 per cent). Two-thirds (67 per cent) of deliveries occurred in the home. The contraceptive prevalence rate was 23 per cent (16 per cent modern and 7 per cent natural methods). Twenty-four per cent had knowledge of any STIs, although most of these women did not know correctly how to prevent them. Most of the women (93 per cent) needed authorization from their husband or a male relative before seeking professional health-care.In multivariate analysis, women's schooling was significantly associated with antenatal-care attendance (AOR 4.78), institutional delivery (AOR 2.29), skilled attendance at birth (AOR 2.07) and use of family planning (AOR 4.59).Reproductive-health indicators were noted to be poor even among these women living in Kabul, a group often considered to be the most privileged. To meet the reproductive-health needs of Afghan women, the socio-cultural aspects of their situation - especially their decision-making abilities - will need to be addressed.A long-standing commitment from agencies and donors is required, in which the education of women should be placed as a cornerstone of the reconstruction process of Afghanistan

Afghan · Environmental health · Injury prevention · Occupational safety and health · Poison control · Political science · Population · Reproductive health · Suicide prevention · Global Maternal and Child Health · Health and Conflict Studies · Healthcare Systems and Reforms · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Medicine · Psychology