International Family Planning Perspectives 

About: International Family Planning Perspectives is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Population & Family planning. Over the lifetime, 835 publications have been published receiving 25613 citations.

Couples fertility and contraceptive decision-making in developing countries: hearing the mans voice.

Abstract: This study examined the reproductive preferences and behavior of married men and their wives in 18 developing countries. Data were obtained from the Demographic and Health Surveys during 1990-96 in 13 sub-Saharan African 2 North African 2 Asian and a Latin American country. Only 2 countries did not have male data. The sample included polygamous couples but the effects of fertility intentions (FI) on couples contraceptive behavior refers only to monogamous couples with a nonpregnant wife. Findings indicate that spousal age differences ranged from 2.7 years in Brazil to 12.2 years in Senegal. Literacy of males varied from 10% in Senegal to 77% in Zimbabwe. The proportion of husbands desiring at least 2 children more than did the wife ranged from 27% in Niger to 70% in Bangladesh. Fewer than 50% of couples agreed in 8 of the 13 sub-Saharan African countries. The mean number of children desired by husbands ranged from 2.9 in Brazil to 11.5 in Niger. In 11 sub-Saharan countries the desired number of children exceeded 5. Husbands desired family size (DFS) was higher in western compared to eastern Africa and was higher than womens DFS. Gender differences in DFS were negligible outside Africa. 10-26% of partners disagreed on the desire for more children. 21-40% disagreed on when to have more children. Husbands reported higher modern method use. Joint FI significantly determined modern method use in 15 countries. After controlling for effects of spouses characteristics joint FI was a significant predictor in 9 countries. Contraceptive use was more likely when couples desired a stop to childbearing.

The incidence of abortion worldwide.

Abstract: This study relied on national official sources on legal abortions to estimate the incidence of induced abortion in 57 countries in 1996. The World Health Organization (WHO) provided data on illegal abortions. The data reflect a variety of sources and degrees of underreporting. Findings indicate that about 46 million abortions were performed worldwide in 1995. About 26 million were legal; 20 million were illegal. The abortion rate was about 35/1000 women aged 15-44 years. Legal abortions appear to have declined since 1987; illegal abortions have increased. WHO estimates that unsafe abortions rose from 3.7 to 5.0 million during 1990-95 in Africa. Most illegal abortions occur in Africa and Central and South America. Most legal abortions are performed in Europe. 64% of legal and 95% of illegal abortions are performed in developing countries. The legal and illegal abortion rate is 39/1000 women aged 15-44 years in developed countries and 34/1000 in developing countries. Abortions per 100 pregnancies are higher in developed countries. Central and Eastern Europe have very high abortion rates. Asia (59% of total abortions) has the largest total number of abortions. North America has only 3% of abortions. The subregion abortion rate is highest in Eastern Europe (90/1000). Countries with high abortion rates include Viet Nam Romania and Cuba. Russia and Romania have the highest recorded proportions of pregnancies that end in abortion (63%). 25% of 180 million pregnancies globally are resolved by abortion each year. Mistimed and unwanted pregnancies and contraception deficits are the main causes.

Women's position within the household as a determinant of maternal health care use in Nepal.

Abstract: CONTEXT: Although gender inequality is often cited as a barrier to improving maternal health in Nepal, little attention has been directed at understanding how sociocultural factors may influence the use of health care. In particular, how a woman’s position within her household may affect the receipt of health care deserves further investigation. METHODS: Data on ever-married women aged 15–49 from the 2001 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey were analyzed to explore three dimensions of women’s position within their household—decision making, employment and influence over earnings, and spousal discussion of family planning. Logistic regression models assessed the relationship of these variables to receipt of skilled antenatal and delivery care. RESULTS: Few women reported participation in household decision making, and even fewer had any control over their own earnings. However, more than half reported discussing family planning with their husbands, and there were significant differences among subgroups in these indicators of women’s position. Though associations were not consistent across all indicators, spousal discussion of family planning was linked to an increased likelihood of receiving skilled antenatal and delivery care (odds ratios, 1.4 and 1.3, respectively). Women’s secondary education was also strongly associated with the greater use of health care (5.1–5.6). CONCLUSIONS: Gender inequality constrains women’s access to skilled health care in Nepal. Interventions to improve communication and strengthen women’s influence deserve continued support. The strong association of women’s education with health care use highlights the need for efforts to increase girls’ schooling and alter perceptions of the value of skilled maternal health care.

Socioeconomic factors and processes associated with domestic violence in rural Bangladesh

Abstract: CONTEXT: Although the pervasiveness of domestic violence against women in Bangladesh is well documented, specific risk factors, particularly those that can be affected by policies and programs, are not well understood. METHODS: In 2001-2002, surveys, in-depth interviews and small group discussions were conducted with married women from six Bangladeshi villages to examine the types and severity of domestic violence, and to explore the pathways through which women's social and economic circumstances may influence their vulnerability to violence in marriage. Women's odds of experiencing domestic violence in the past year were assessed by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of about 1,200 women surveyed, 67% had ever experienced domestic violence, and 35% had done so in the past year. According to the qualitative findings, participants expected women with more education and income to be less vulnerable to domestic violence; they also believed (or hoped) that having a dowry or a registered marriage could strengthen a women's position in her marriage. Yet, of these potential factors, only education was associated with significantly reduced odds of violence; meanwhile, the odds were increased for women who had a dowry agreement or had personal earnings that contributed more than nominally to the marital household. Women strongly supported educating their daughters, but pressures remain to marry them early, in part to avoid high dowry costs. CONCLUSIONS: In rural Bangladesh, women's social and economic circumstances may influence their risk of domestic violence in complex and contradictory ways. Findings also suggest a disconnect between women's emerging expectations and their current realities.

Early Marriage Among Women In Developing Countries

Abstract: This study examines trends in first marriage consensual unions and cohabiting unions among adolescents Data were obtained for 40 countries from Demographic and Health Surveys Marriage timing was grouped for the proportion of all women aged 20-24 years who married by ages 15 18 and 20 years Women were most likely to marry at young ages in sub-Saharan Africa 60-92% of women aged 20-24 years married by age 20 High proportions of early marriage were found in Bangladesh Guatemala India and Yemen In developing countries other than sub-Saharan African countries marriages before the age of 18 years ranged between 20% and 33% Marriages before the age of 20 years ranged between 33% and 50% In developed countries such as France or the US first marriage by the age of 18 years among 20-24 years olds represented 11% of all first marriages Japan was one of the few countries with a very low proportion of early marriages: 2% of 20-24 year olds married before the age of 20 years Marriage before the age of 18 years was uncommon in Botswana Namibia the Philippines Sri Lanka and Tunisia and comparable to US and French proportions Marriage before the age of 15 years was common only in Bangladesh and Niger (50%) Very early marriage ranged between 10% and 27% in Cameroon Liberia Mali Nigeria Senegal Togo Uganda Guatemala India Indonesia Pakistan Sudan and Yemen The median age at first marriage ranged widely within and across regions Over time the proportion married before the age of 20 years declined for cohorts aged 20-24 years 30-34 years and 40-44 years The magnitude of decline in the proportion married before age 20 varied substantially across regions Increases were larger and more widespread in North Africa the Middle East and Asia Later age at marriage was more prevalent among urban women in countries with greater urbanization and among women with at least a secondary education in urban areas