Differential response by husbands and wives regarding contraceptive practice
Raman, M.V.
Journal of Institute of Economic Research. J.S.S. Institute of Economic Research 17(1): 30-36
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0020-2851 PMID: 12279300 Document Number: 468474
It has been generally accepted that information on contraceptive usage obtained from the female partner of a couple is the same as would be obtained from the male partner. It has therefore not been customary to interview both husband and wife regarding contraceptive usage. However, an examination of surveys conducted in India, in which both partners of the couple were respondents, indicates a differential pattern of response with women typically underreporting usage as compared to men. The discrepancy between men and women in reporting birth control usage can be partly attributed to a culturally dictated reticence on the part of women in discussing sexual function. Data from Africa show the situation to be reversed, with greater underreporting being typical of the male partner. Overall, men were found to underreport the incidence of female methods of contraception, while women underreported male contraceptive methods. Based on the evidence examined, it is concluded that underreporting of contraceptive usage may be a significant problem, having implications for the choice of methodology and the assumptions on which family planning programs are based.