Spousal Communication and Contraceptive Use in Rural Nepal: An Event History Analysis

Abstract

This study analyzes longitudinal data from couples in rural Nepal to investigate the influence of spousal communication about family planning on their subsequent contraceptive use. The study expands current understanding of the communication–contraception link by (a) exploiting monthly panel data to conduct an event history analysis, (b) incorporating both wives’ and husbands’ perceptions of communication, and (c) distinguishing effects of spousal communication on the use of four contraceptive methods. The findings provide new evidence of a strong positive impact of spousal communication on contraceptive use, even when controlling for confounding variables. Wives’ reports of communication are substantial explanatory factors in couples’ initiation of all contraceptive methods examined. Husbands’ reports of communication predict couples’ subsequent use of male-controlled methods. This analysis advances our understanding of how marital dynamics—as well as husbands’ perceptions of these dynamics—influence fertility behavior, and should encourage policies to promote greater integration of men into family planning programs.

Spousal Communication and Contraceptive Use among Married Couples in Rural Areas of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

“…Spousal communication about family planning is statistically significant at 10% level and carries a positive sign implying that the more favourable the respondents' disposition is, the higher the likelihood and intensity of contraceptive use among the couples. The finding is synonymous with previous works on contraceptive use which reported that couples who discuss contraceptive use and family planning are more likely to use contraceptives than those who do not (Shrestha, 2000;Sharan and Valente, 2002;Tuloro et al, 2006;Ogunjuyigbe et al, 2009;Link, 2011;Undelikwo et al, 2013). Discussions on contraceptives allow couples in a marriage to exchange views/ideas, and these discussions change some wrong/erroneous beliefs about contraceptive use thereby enhancing its use among the couples (Akafua and Sosson, 2008).…”

Impact of the spread of mass education on married women’s experience with domestic violence

“…In general, higher participation in spouse selection is found to be associated with a higher-quality relationship, and thus may be associated with lower risk of domestic violence (Allendorf and Ghimire 2013; Hoelter et al 2004; Link 2011). The CVFS measured participation in spouse selection using responses to a question that asks, “People marry in different ways.…”

Awareness and use of Contraceptive Methods in Women of Child Bearing Age Group: A Cross Sectional Study

“…Complete unawareness of contraceptives was found to be a reason in (8.47%) patients. Husband's reluctance was reported to be one of the important causes of not using any contraceptives by many researchers from developing countries including Kapil Yadav et al 14 and Cynthia F. Link 15 .…”