We have almost accepted child spacing. Let's wait on family planning and limiting children': Focus group discussions among young people with tertiary education in Somalia.

OBJECTIVE: Somalia has high rates of maternal mortality, fertility and pregnancy among young women. Factors contributing to this situation are a lack of knowledge regarding sexual and reproductive health, early marriages, cultural norms and the unmet need for or use of contraceptives. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of family planning among young men and women with tertiary education in Mogadishu. METHODS: A purposeful and convenience strategy using snowballing was used to recruit participants. Four focus group discussions were held online with 26 young women and men aged 19-25 years old. All participants were studying at five different universities in Mogadishu, and only one participant was married. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. FINDINGS: The findings showed that participants objected to the concept of family planning but supported the concept of child spacing. They highlighted that people of their generation with tertiary education practise child spacing to combine careers with family life. Although all the participants knew of the benefits of child spacing, they had different opinions on whether modern contraceptive methods were an option for them. They were more comfortable with traditional contraceptive methods and believed that the quality of the modern contraceptive medicine available in the country was unreliable. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that it is crucial not only to include young people in family planning awareness initiatives and implementation but also to give them a voice to advocate family planning and start dialogues within their own communities.

Perceptions of family planning among some Somali men living in Sweden: A phenomenographic study.

OBJECTIVE: A growing body of research in Sweden has focused on migration and reproductive health, particularly on women's perspectives, including family planning and contraception. However, knowledge is limited on how immigrant men perceive family planning. The topic is important because women's use of family planning has been shown to be influenced by their partners and community. Therefore, this study aims to explore perceptions of family planning among Somali men living in Sweden. METHODS: A qualitative phenomenographic approach was used. Four focus group discussions were conducted with 41 men aged 28-59 years. Data were analysed using phenomenographic analysis. FINDINGS: The following four categories were identified in the analysis: 1) a happier and more sustainable family; 2) ideal family size versus cultural commitment; 3) fears of using modern family planning methods; and 4) a need to be included in family planning. The findings illuminated the complexities of perceptions of family planning. Although Somali men understood the benefits of family planning, they seemed to prefer a large family. However, due to their new social context in Sweden, they had also changed their views on having as large a family as in their home country. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that Somali men living in Sweden want to be involved in family planning counselling, which may increase women's use of contraception. However, healthcare providers must ensure that the woman desires her partner's involvement and be culturally sensitive about couples' needs.