The meaning of family planning in view of women in reproductive age

The study aimed to comprehend the meaning of family planning in view of women in reproductive age; and identify their perceptions about the assistance received and the partner’s participation in the decisions about the use of contraceptive methods. Descriptive study with qualitative approach, developed with 24 women who participated in the Family Planning program in a Basic Family Health Unit in Fortaleza – Ceará, from February through October in 2007. The information enclosed in interviews were recorded, organized in themes and analyzed based on the meaning concept of symbolic interactionism. The results evidenced three significant themes: the meaning of family planning in view of women in fertile age; interactions from women in fertile age in a family planning service and the men participation in the family planning according to feminine opinion. It was verified that the meaning of the family planning for theses women is related to avoid children and according to values pertinent to their culture, economic and social reality. The assistance is received in an isolated form, not priorizing the women’s necessity, without and educative and empowerment purpose.
Keywords: Woman; Family planning; Meaning; Symbolic interactionism.