Cognitive and Psychosocial Accessibility to Modern Contraception: Subscales Validation

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Résumé

While studies have examined physical access to services, cognitive and psychosocial
barriers to contraceptive use have received less attention, despite
their impact on access. Research shows that fours main dimensions exist under
the broad concept of cognitive and psychosocial access. This study aims
to validate the construction of these dimensions and measure the relation
between them and their links with modern contraceptive use. We utilized a
questionnaire module to collect 15 questions measuring these dimensions
through the 6th round of the Performance monitoring and accountability 2020
(PMA2020) survey in Burkina in 2019. We employed the scale validation
technique to choose appropriate measures (observable indicators or items)
for constructing each latent dimension (unobservable) in our study. The
items consisted of questions that utilized a 5-point Likert scale or dichotomous
responses to capture various psychosocial aspects. To assess the validity,
reliability, convergence, and divergence of the latent dimensions and items,
we utilized the validscale command in Stata. The validation process confirmed
the reliability of all the dimensions. Contraceptive approval is more
aligned with birth spacing rather than birth limiting, reflecting prevailing social
perceptions. Women’s contraceptive agency was found to be more associated
with their ability to discuss and negotiate with their partners rather
than independent decision-making. Correlations between dimensions were
generally weak, but the levels of knowledge, agency, and approval of contraception
are positively correlated with contraceptive use and intention to use.
Giving women more decision-making power and providing information to
address side-effect concerns can enhance contraceptive approval.

Mots-clés

Cognitive Dimensions, Psychosocial Dimensions, Contraception, Intention to Use, Side Effects