Women's socioeconomic position and contraceptive behavior in Togo
Gage, A.J.
Studies in Family Planning 26(5): 264-277
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0039-3665 PMID: 8571441 DOI: 10.2307/2138012Document Number: 289907
Few studies have examined empirically the influence of women's position on contraceptive behaviour in sub-Saharan Africa. Using data from the 1988 Togo Demographic and Health Survey, this article explores the linkages between various indicators of women's position and spousal communication about family planning and contraceptive use. The results highlight the importance to their contraceptive behaviour of women's economic power and individual control over choice of partner. The likelihood of spousal communication about family planning and modern contraceptive use is significantly higher among women who exercised complete control over selection of partner than among those with arranged marriages. Women who work for cash are significantly more likely than those who do not to communicate with their spouses about family planning, particularly if they participate in rotating credit or savings schemes. Such participation also increases significantly the likelihood of ever using traditional and modern methods of contraception.