Title: Social network influences on contraceptive use among Cameroonian women in voluntary associations.

POPLINE Document Number: 102036

Author(s):

Valente TW
Jato M
van der Straten A
Tsitsol LP

Source citation:

[Unpublished] 1994. Presented at the 122nd Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association [APHA], Washington, D.C.,October 30 - November 3, 1994. 38 p.

Abstract:

A study of women's networks in Cameroon was undertaken 1) to contribute to the theory of the diffusion of innovation by determining how information circulates among individuals in informal associations, 2) to demonstrate the feasibility of using network methods to understand informal associations and their use in program design, and 3) to demonstrate how social networks function in the diffusion of health information. In this study, the role of interpersonal communication and behavior change was measured using the association between personal network characteristics and contraceptive use. The members of 9 women's groups (total 495 women aged 15-45 years old) were interviewed in 1993. Each woman's personal network was identified and then the woman was asked whether she thinks each correspondent named 1) approves of family planning, 2) uses a contraceptive methods, and 3) encourages the use of contraception. It was found that perceptions of network approval, use, and encouragement of contraception were associated with an individual's contraceptive use. Awareness and use of a specific method also correlated with awareness and use of that method by a woman's personal network. Heterogeneity in personal network characteristics was associated with the use of traditional but not of modern contraceptive methods, and network support was related to continuation. Since these data show that perceptions of network support of a health-related behavior are associated with that behavior, planners should encourage people to talk about health practices to accelerate diffusion of information.

Keywords:

Cameroon
Women's Groups
Contraceptive Usage
Interviews
Information Distribution
Social Networks
Communication
Urban Population
Women
Africa, Western
Africa, Sub Saharan
Africa
Developing Countries
Interest Groups
Political Factors
Contraception
Family Planning
Data Collection
Research Methodology
Friends and Relatives
Family and Household
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population