Employment and education of women and their family planning practices

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to assess contraceptive use among employed and non-employed women and to explore the relationship between education as well as aspects related to women's employment and family planning practice. A sample of 120 married women in their reproductive age and having children was randomly selected. Half of them were employed and the other half were housewives. A specially validated interview schedule was developed and used for data collection. The results of this study revealed no significant difference between the mean age of employed and non-employed women. Employed women were significantly better educated and had lesser number of children than housewives. Although a non-significant difference was observed between the employed and non-employed women in relation to contraceptive use, yet 80% of the employed women were current users compared with 66.7% of the housewives. Moreover, employed women were more likely to use modern methods than non- employed. Husbands of employed women contributed more actively in households activities and child care than those of non-employed. The results also revealed that employed women had more active role in financial decisions. They also had more privileges in family affairs