CULTURAL PERCEPTIONS AND MISCONCEPTIONS – THE PRACTITIONER’S ATTITUDE (CASE)
Jusnara Khatun registered with a new GP when she was rehoused; she was a Bengali woman 38 weeks’ pregnant with her third chid. She came to the surgery with her children, but no accompanying adult, and when the doctor enquired about her husband, she said that she was divorced. The doctor was solicitous for her social welfare as well as providing good medical care for the rest of the pregnancy and puerperium. Assuming, however, that a divorced woman in this cultural group would have no sexual relationships, contraception was not discussed at all. Three months later, Jusnara requested a repeat injection of the injectable contraceptive; the first had been given at a community family planning clinic, but it was more convenient for her to come to the GP. The somewhat misplaced sympathy, and assumptions of the GP had made it difficult for Jusnara to initiate discussion about contraception. Although unmarried, she had a series of relationships with men who supported her financially, but it would be hard to say whether or not the arrangements were commercial. It has been apparent since then that she sees control of her fertility as her own responsibility, and the choice of method has more to do with her own feelings than cultural rules.
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