Various sociocultural constraints in the Arab region interfere with women's perceptions of health and their capabilities to seek care and make informed decisions about their health and well-being. At times, husbands or other family members make health-related decisions for them (Zurayk et al. 1995, Aoyama 2001) and in certain communities, use of reproductive health and family-planning services by women is also influenced by the opinions and teachings of religious and local leaders.

These constraints, together with economic factors, are also associated with inappropr…