Change search
CiteExportLink to record
Permanent link

Direct link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf
Navigating complex decision in a new setting: perspectives of Arabic-speaking migrant men in Sweden on family planning decision making
Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Sweden.
Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, WHO Collaborating Centre, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Jönköping University, School of Health and Welfare, The Jönköping Academy for Improvement of Health and Welfare. Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, WHO Collaborating Centre, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.ORCID iD: 0000-0003-3597-9004
2025 (English)In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 20, no 6 June, article id e0325935Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Background Male partners’ involvement in family planning can be crucial for women’s contraceptive choices. Limited research exists on migrant men’s experiences and perceptions of family planning and associated decisions. The study aims to investigate experiences and perceptions of family planning use and decision-making among Arabic-speaking men living in Sweden. Methods This qualitative study utilized reflexive thematic analysis of eighteen in-depth interviews. The participants aged 22–43 years, had relocated to Sweden within the past decade, and represented various countries of origin (e.g., Syria, Iraq, Palestine) with most participants having 13 or more years of education. Results We identified an overarching theme, “Navigating the complex family planning decision-making in a new setting” supported by four sub-theme; 1) “The new living conditions influencing family planning decision-making” described how financial (in) stability, childcare responsibilities, personal development goals, and the impact of changing circumstances shaped family planning choices; 2) “Social norms affecting family planning decision-making” emphasized the diversity of gender roles and norms within Arabic-speaking communities, with an emphasis on joint decisions and shared responsibility. Instances of controlling behaviour and the role of beliefs and extended family members were also noted; 3) “Challenges in accessing contraceptive services free of discrimination” underscored the need for and importance of access to comprehensive information and culturally sensitive services in shaping family planning decisions; 4) “Conflicting considerations when deciding on contraceptive method” addressed factors such as familiarity with the methods, perceived effectiveness and safety, fear of side-effects, and taboos associated with the methods. Conclusions The findings highlight the diverse factors influencing family planning decisions. The study underscores men’s willingness to be active partners for family planning and highlights the need for improved information provision and services to empower informed decision-making.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2025. Vol. 20, no 6 June, article id e0325935
National Category
Public Health, Global Health and Social Medicine
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-68911DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0325935ISI: 001509994800024PubMedID: 40498686Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105007737493Local ID: GOA;;1023941OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hj-68911DiVA, id: diva2:1974812
Funder
Swedish Research Council, 2020–01121Available from: 2025-06-23 Created: 2025-06-23 Last updated: 2025-10-13Bibliographically approved

Open Access in DiVA

No full text in DiVA

Other links

Publisher's full textPubMedScopus

Authority records

Kilander, Helena

Search in DiVA

By author/editor
Kilander, Helena
By organisation
The Jönköping Academy for Improvement of Health and Welfare
In the same journal
PLOS ONE
Public Health, Global Health and Social Medicine

Search outside of DiVA

GoogleGoogle Scholar

doi
pubmed
urn-nbn

Altmetric score

doi
pubmed
urn-nbn
Total: 70 hits
CiteExportLink to record
Permanent link

Direct link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf