BROWSE ...
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Asia-Pacific Population Journal, Vol. 19, No. 4
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| Author(s):
Social Development Division (SDD)
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| Economic Sector(s):
(1) Population and development |
| ESCAP Reference
No.: ST/ESCAP/2360 |
| Division/Office:
Social Development |
| Published Date:
2005 |
| Country:
{Non-country Specific Publication} |
| Hard Copy Price:
US$ 10.00
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- Influences on Client Loyalty to Reproductive Health-Care Clinics in the Philippines and Thailand (PDF, 166 KB)
By Dana L. Alden, Julieta DelaCruz and Pongsa Viboonsanti
Past research has shown that stronger clinic loyalty among reproductive health-care (RH) clients enhances their willingness to follow treatment recommendations and to keep subsequent appointments. However, relatively little is known about factors that increase client loyalty to RH clinics. In an era of shrinking donor support and increased expectations of clinic self-sustainability, improved understanding of ways to strengthen client loyalty creates a win-win situation for all stakeholders. To this end, the following study examines relationships between RH clients’ cognitions, emotions and clinic loyalty in two countries: Thailand and the Philippines. In both countries, cognitive evaluations were important predictors of future loyalty. In addition, the experience of negative emotions decreased clinic loyalty in both countries. However, only in Thailand did the experience of positive emotions significantly enhance loyalty. Indeed, in Thailand, this variable was the strongest predictor. Discussion centres on the significance of this finding and others to clinic managers who wants to increase client loyalty in order to strengthen the positive impacts of their RH programmes.
- “Successful Ageing for Singapore”?: Financial (In)Security of Elderly Persons (PDF, 205 KB)
By Theresa W. Devasahayam
As a result of improved health care, health insurance and socio-economic conditions, life expectancy in Singapore has soared, resulting in a significant growth of its elderly population. Although the Government of Singapore has mandated the family as the primary site for elder care, it forecasts that an ageing population would have economic, fiscal and social impacts on the country’s resources. Given this scenario, its goal has been to strategically mobilize resources, ensuring that all levels of society are well prepared for the challenges brought on by a growing elderly population and that the vision of “Successful Ageing for Singapore” is attained. This paper seeks to uncover the extent to which Singapore’s elderly are “ageing successfully” given current government policies aimed at ensuring the financial security of its citizenry. Attention is given to public-private-community partnerships in the areas of health and employment since those alliances are critical in facilitating economic security for the elderly. While partnerships in health ensure access to good and affordable health-care services, partnerships that increase elderly employability ensure a degree of financial independence and self-sufficiency.
- Barriers to Male Participation in Family Planning in West Timor (PDF, 149 KB)
By Bayu Setiawan
Attention has been paid to encouraging men to play a greater role in family planning programmes. The number of males using modern contraceptive methods is very low at present. In order to better understand men’s involvement in family planning in one region of Indonesia, research was conducted in West Timor (Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT)). Qualitative methods were used to explain males’ participation in family planning. The research points out that marriage and bride price payment are important elements perpetuating male domination over women. Violence against women and drinking behaviour also influence the practice of family planning. Men take major decisions within the family. Although men tend to influence their partners as regards family planning decisions, women still have the opportunity to discuss the options available. In short, males’ involvement in family planning has already been initiated in NTT; however, there are specific issues that demand immediate attention. Taking into account local culture and existing local problems is important in formulating policies, programmes and strategies aimed at involving men in family planning.
- Menstrual Regulation Practices in Bangladesh: An Unrecognized Form of Contraception (PDF, 170 KB)
By M. Mazharul Islam, Ubaidur Rob and Nitai Chakroborty
As part of the Government of Bangladesh’s health and family planning effort, menstrual regulation (MR) has been declared an “interim method of establishing non-pregnancy” for a woman at risk of being pregnant to reduce female morbidity and mortality associated with indigenous abortion, which is legally restricted in Bangladesh. This policy regarding MR has profound implications for women’s reproductive health in Bangladesh as there is an increasing demand for pregnancy termination despite a steady increase in the contraceptive use rate. Survey results indicate that currently married women have a moderately high knowledge of MR, but in most cases they failed to distinguish between MR and abortion. Most of the MR acceptors received MR services to terminate an unwanted pregnancy arising from a method failure or from the non-use of family planning methods. The results suggest that with the promotion of MR services, many abortions are performed under the mantle of MR in order to avoid legal controversy. Recent survey results show that about 5 per cent of the currently married women ever had MR and the number is increasing despite the greater use of family planning methods. This paper examines the characteristics of the MR acceptors and determinants and the reasons for MR practice in Bangladesh. Understanding the reasons for MR acceptance and its demographic impact will assist policy makers in taking appropriate strategies to reduce unsafe abortion, which, in turn, will help to decrease maternal morbidity and mortality.
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