Fertility preferences and contraceptive use among couples in sub-Saharan Africa
population health
25
Issue: 2
(12 - 2011)
Fertility remains high and contraceptive use is low in much of sub-Saharan Africa
despite high levels of unmet need for contraception and clear evidence of excess
fertility. Using data from recent Demographic and Health Surveys this paper
revisits the issue of gender differences in fertility goals, and how these differences
may contribute to the lack of substantial declines in fertility in the region. The
results show that most spouses agreed with respect to their fertility preferences,
whether in terms of desired number of children or desire for a future birth. When
there were disagreements, men tended to want more children than their spouses.
In most countries, contraceptive use among couples was not associated with dif-
ferences in spouses’ desires for a future birth. However, for the few countries
where a significant association was observed, couples were less likely to be using
a method when the wife wanted to have more children and more likely to be using
one when she wanted to stop childbearing. To ensure open and sustained use of
contraception within a union, family planning programs must continue to involve
men by helping them understand the importance of fewer and well spaced births
for the health of women and their children.
0