Nurses’ Experiences of Teaching Family Planning : A Minor Field Study in the Region of Rufiji in Tanzania

Abstract: This study was funded by a scholarship from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) as a Minor Field Study. The social economic development in Tanzania is a major challenge due to a continuing high rate of population growth. A growing   population   puts   increased   strain   on   healthcare,   food   supply   and   the environment.  Early childbearing limits women’s ability to educate themselves and contribute to society. The definition of family planning (FP) is to keep a sustainable population growth through reducing the family size. The government of Tanzania has developed  a  plan  for  FP,  which  includes  a  goal  that  60  percent  of  women  in reproductive age will use contraceptives in 2015. Healthcare professionals have a great potential to encourage lifestyles changes. It is therefore important to investigate the nurses’ experiences of teaching FP to increase the knowledge about their experiences. The aim of the study is to investigate nurses’ experiences of education about FP in the Rufiji district in Tanzania. This is a qualitative study and the data was collected through interviews using a semi structured open-ended question guide. The nurses’ experiences of teaching patients in FP concerns four different areas. Firstly, they have a variety of strategies to execute the education. Secondly, they describe what is necessary to create a meeting with the patient. Thirdly, the patients have needs that have to be met in a learning situation. Finally, even though it’s subtle, they empower the patient, which lays the foundation for making lifestyle changes. The key finding that the nurses spoke of as the  most  important  factor  when  teaching  is  the  importance  of  creating  a  good relationship with the patient.