Utilization of private sector family planning services in Malaysia

• Main Authors: Lai, Siow Li, Tey, Nai Peng, Mahmud, Adzmel, Ismail, Najihah
• Format: Article
• Published: Sage 2021
• Subjects: HQ The family. Marriage. Woman; RA Public aspects of medicine; RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/35954/; https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85095839943&doi=10.1177%2f0272684X20972864&partnerID=40&md5=407d68295546a2236ee400ed7cc89404

The private sector is playing an increasingly important role in family planning services globally. The active participation of private providers is associated with a higher contraceptive prevalence rate. Objectives: To examine the differentials and determinants of the utilization of private providers for family planning services. Method: This study used the 2014 Malaysian Population and Family Survey data. Cross-tabulations and logistic regression were performed on 1,817 current users of modern methods. Results: Overall, 26 of modern method users obtained their supplies from private clinics/pharmacies and 15.2 from other sources, such as drug stores and sundry shops. The odds of utilizing the private sector for family planning services differ significantly across regions and socio-economic groups. The odds of obtaining supply from the private clinics/pharmacies were higher among the Chinese and urban women (AOR > 1), and it was lower among those from the eastern region (AOR = 0.47, 95 CI = 0.30–0.73). Non-Bumiputera, urban, higher educated, and working women, and those whose husbands decided on family planning had higher odds of obtaining the supply from the other sources (AOR > 1). Conclusion: The private sector complements and supplements the public sector in providing family planning services to the public. © The Author(s) 2020.