Obstacles Faced by Adults in Utilization of Reproductive Health Services in Jhelum, Pakistan: A Qualitative Study

A large number of reproductive healthcare services are available, but many individuals are reluctant to use these facilities due to high cost, limited availability of centers in rural areas, poor behavior of support staff, lack of knowledge, and concerns about privacy and confidentiality. Objective: To explore the barriers to the utilization of reproductive health services among adults in Jhelum, Pakistan. Methods: Data were collected from November 2023 to April 2024 through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews conducted in participants’ local communities to ensure inclusivity, particularly in rural areas with limited digital access. An interview guide was developed based on existing literature and expert input to explore participants’ perceptions and experiences regarding barriers to reproductive health services. Results: The factors that prevent the participants from availing reproductive healthcare facilities are the behavior of the healthcare provider, the cost of healthcare, their knowledge of the services that are available, confidentiality, and a lack of privacy. These barriers are mostly faced by rural participants as compared to urban participants. According to reproductive healthcare providers, the participants face the barrier of gender discrimination, cultural context, and unfeasible timing. Conclusions: The most common obstacles in utilizing reproductive healthcare facilities are the behavior of support staff and the cost of services. These barriers need to be addressed at the national level to increase the use of reproductive health services in public facilities.