A Qualitative Investigation of Policy Barriers to Injectable Contraceptives in India

Courtney E. Henderson, University of California, Berkeley
Anne Villumsen, University of Copenhagen
Malcolm Potts, University of California, Berkeley
Jenna Johnson-Hanks, University of California, Berkeley

India’s National Population Policy highlights expanding voluntary family planning options. However, injectable contraceptives are excluded from the Indian National Family Planning Program. The lack of access to injectable contraceptives through this program results in fewer contraceptive options for economically marginalized women who cannot access private sector options. This study uses Social Ecological Model and Political Economy as its theoretical frameworks, and employs qualitative methods, including media content analysis and in-depth interviews (n=31), to investigate key opinion leaders’ attitudes on injectable contraceptives. Interviews were conducted in English and were digitally recorded. Data analysis was based on constant comparison, rooted in grounded theory. Understanding key opinion leaders’ attitudes on injectable contraceptives, and how those leaders influence contraceptive policy, is critical to the development of family planning programs and policies. Such information may be useful beyond the scope of family planning, extending to other reproductive health services and policies in India.