Title: Family planning among Zambian males: differences between Catholics and non-Catholics.

POPLINE Document Number: 073408

Author(s):

Pillai VK

Source citation:

SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL RESEARCH, 1992 Jan;76(2):85-9.

Abstract:

In Africa men's participation in family planning (FP) is lacking with the result of high fertility and low contraceptive prevalence. Traditional fertility controls such as child spacing, postpartum abstinence, and prolonged breast feeding have waned. 85 male employees of the University of Zambia in Lusaka (38 Catholics and 47 Noncatholics) from an original sample of 100 respondents selected from a total of 1264 supporting staff were interviewed in 1986 to assess the difference between Catholics and non-Catholics regarding the use of and attitude toward FP. This urban sample resembled Lusaka's average population in basic socioeconomic characteristics. All were literate, and 60% had passed the Junior Secondary examination requiring 7 years of schooling. Only 20% of their wives had similar education, and 13% were employed. 55% were non-Catholics. The variables of religion and wife's education were significant, and so was FP use and religion. 82% of Catholics had never used FP, and 58% of them did not intend to use FP in the future (compared with only 49% of non-Catholics). 87% of both groups desired to have more FP information. 32% of non-Catholics often discussed FP with their wives vs. only 22% of Catholics. Government policy endorsed modern FP in Zambia for the sake of controlling fertility, however, Catholics were less likely to practice FP although 42% intended future use. Although the attitudes regarding FP did not differ significantly between the 2 groups the pronatalist stance of the Catholic church had to be taken into account for the design of FP programs.

Keywords:

Zambia
Family Planning
KAP Surveys
Catholicism
Educational Status
Contraceptive Usage
Family Planning Acceptor Characteristics
Family Planning, Traditional Methods
Family Planning Policy
Men
Religious Aspects
Changes
Africa, Southern
Africa, Sub Saharan
Africa
Developing Countries
Surveys
Sampling Studies
Studies
Research Methodology
Christianity
Religion
Socioeconomic Status
Socioeconomic Factors
Economic Factors
Contraception
Family Planning Acceptors
Family Planning Programs
Population Policy
Social Policy
Policy
Demographic Factors
Population
Social Change