Reproductive health gender roles and relations as predictors of practicing of reproductive health rights among married women and men in Punjab, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Practicing reproductive health rights is not an individual attribute but an outcome negotiated between partners. Large differentials can place the less powerful partner at risk by reducing his or her ability to negotiate safer sexual relations. Negotiation between partners is affected by material assistance which is given by men. Hence, the present study was designed to gauge the extent of practicing the reproductive health rights among married men and women and to see the relationship between respondents' characteristics and practicing of reproductive health rights by them. A cross-sectional survey was carried out from Punjab province. Well designed interviewing schedules were constructed in the light of research objectives and the conceptual framework of the study to collect data and draw inferences. A representative sample of 700 married women and 600 men were interviewed. The SPSS/PC+ 15.0 Statistical Package for Social Sciences were used for analyzing the data. A strong and positive association between the demographic characteristics of married men and women and their attitude towards the reproductive health behavior and those women who were currently engaged in paid jobs had highly favorable and consistent attitude towards RHR-Practices. It was strongly suggested that encourage women's employment by increasing their education level and creating jobs in every department and encourage women's participation in decision making process