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Home⇛International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research⇛vol. 7 no. 1 (2026)

Exploring Health Workers’ Perspectives on Barriers to Family Planning Service Delivery: A Study in Health Center of District 2, Marikina City

Rodina P. Fernandez | Ma. Kryssie G. Fernandez | Jervie C. Dual | Leprex L. Padre | Claudine F. Payacag

Discipline: Education

 

Abstract:

This study examined the barriers to family planning (FP) service de-livery as perceived by health workers in selected health centers in Dis-trict 2, Marikina City. The study is anchored on the WHO Health Systems Framework (WHO, 2007) and the Socio-Ecological Model (Bron-fenbrenner, 1979), which explain how systemic, organizational, and so-cio-cultural factors interact to influence health service delivery. Specif-ically, it identified organizational, technical, resource-related, and so-cio-cultural factors that influence the implementation of FP programs and explored strategies to improve service delivery. A descriptive quantitative research design was employed, utilizing a structured self-administered questionnaire distributed to health workers involved in FP service provision. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, and weighted mean, with limited qual-itative inputs from respondents’ perspectives used to support interpre-tation of the results. Findings revealed that organizational challenges such as staffing shortages, high workload, and policy-related issues significantly af-fected FP service delivery. Technical and resource-related barriers in-cluded inconsistent supply of contraceptives, limited training opportu-nities, and inadequate infrastructure. Socio-cultural factors, particu-larly misconceptions about FP methods, cultural beliefs, and religious influences, were also perceived as major barriers to FP utilization among clients. Despite these challenges, health workers identified ca-pacity-building activities, improved supply chain management, strengthened community education, and sustained policy support as key strategies for enhancing FP service delivery. The study concludes that barriers to FP service delivery are multi-dimensional and require coordinated interventions at the health sys-tem, community, and policy levels. Addressing these barriers through strengthened health systems, continuous training of health workers, and culturally sensitive community engagement may improve the effec-tiveness and accessibility of family planning services. The findings of this study may serve as a basis for local health administrators and pol-icymakers in developing targeted strategies to strengthen FP programs.



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