Factors affecting contraceptive use in Sub-Saharan Africa
By: Working Group on Factors Affecting Contraceptive Use, Panel on the Population Dynamics of Sub-Saharan Africa, Committee on Population, Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, National Research Council.
Contributors: National Research Council (U.S.). Working Group on Factors Affecting Contraceptive Use.
Series: Population dynamics of Sub-Saharan Africa
Publisher: National Academy Press
Published: 1993
Place of publication: Washington, D.C
Language: eng
Number of pages: 252
Subjects: Contraception -- Africa, Sub-Saharan.; Birth control -- Africa, Sub-Saharan.
Description: A Working Group of the US National Research Council's Committee on Population analyzes Demographic and Health Surveys data from sub-Saharan African countries to determine factors affecting contraceptive use. It also reviews the literature to consider socioeconomic, social organizational, and family planning program factors of contraceptive use. The most well-developed family planning programs exist in Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Kenya where the trend is increased contraceptive use (>15%) and fertility decline. This transition is unlikely to occur in the other countries until there are consistent improvements in child survival. Economic crises and reduced health services keep many countries from achieving declines in child mortality. Modern contraceptive use is less than 6% in most of these countries and lactational amenorrhea and sexual abstinence are used to control fertility.^ ^Female education is a significant determinant of modern contraceptive at the individual, regional and national level. Its current use only rises above 10% in regions where the average amount of female education is at least 4 years. Urbanity directly and postivitely determines fertility at the individual level and negatively at the national level. The proportion of women in a polygynous union negatively at the national level. The proportion of women in a polygynous union negatively affects contraceptive use at the national level. The proportion Muslim is associated with low level of schooling which, in turn, reduces contraceptive use. Oral contraceptives are the most popular contraceptive method, but a more diversified method mix is expected over time. Perpetuation of the lineage, a major organizing cultural principle, accounts for why Africa is following a different fertility transition than other parts of the developing world.^ ^Changes in kinship support and spousal relations should affect attitudes toward the value of family planning. Increases in contraceptive use will likely be uneven, since there is a variety of cultural and socioeconomic factors across Africa. Obstacles to increased contraceptive use include AIDS, political and social unrest, and deteriorating education.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 233-252).