Socioeconomic status and use of family planning among Ghanaian government workers
Kannae, L.; Pendleton, B.F.
Social Biology 45(1-2): 113-133
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0037-766X PMID: 9584581 DOI: 10.1080/19485565.1998.9988967Document Number: 277412
The low level of family planning method use in Ghana has much to do with the traditional sociocultural values held by men in the country. These values are discussed. 484 literate male employees, 54.1% Catholic, and of average age 39.5 years responded to a 1993 survey of male government employees' attitudes toward marriage, family, and the use of family planning in Ghana. This sample of men was chosen not to be representative of the general population, but rather to be reflective of the people who are most likely to influence national policy. 88.8% of respondents were married. The survey data indicate that lack of couple communication, segregated conjugal role relationships, and male-dominated decision-making are significant predictors of the non-use of family planning methods. Simply being knowledgeable of family planning is unlikely to cause Ghanaian men to begin using family planning methods.