Wives views of their husbands' role in family planning some indications from the Jordan fertility and family health survey

ABSTRACT

The main objective of this study is to identify the role of men in contraceptive use and family planning practices. Data from the Jordan Fertility and Family Health Survey [JFFHS], 1990 has been used. For the purpose of this study, some 2,369 women who are current users of contraceptive [among the ever married women N = 6,462] were surveyed. Analysis of the results showed that 63% of the surveyed women use "women only methods" of contraception, 26% use "shared methods", and only 11% have reported their husbands' use of the "men only methods". This low percentage of husbands' involvement in family planning practices reflects a limited participation, on their part, in contraceptive use. Factors that were found to influence the current choice of the contraceptive method, as was determined by the final Logistic Analysis, included wife and husband receiving a minimum of secondary education, the number of desired male and female children, and most important of all, the wife's prior experience with contraceptives, especially if these had ever had negative effects on her. Explanation of these findings from the Jordanian cultural context is provided. Several implications as well as recommendations for further studies are also stated