Family planning studies the teachers' survey. Part 2: fertility differentials and practice of family planning
Kamel, W.H.; Hanna, A.T.; Kamel, N.A.; Wahdan, M.H.
Egyptian Population and Family Planning Review 3(1): 37-66
1970
ISSN/ISBN: 1110-1156 PMID: 12254508 Document Number: 564736
This study deals with biologic and socioeconomic fertility differentials of married female teachers in the Alexandria Governorate who were surveyed via questionnaire from October 1966 to February 1967. It also shows fertility patterns of educated working women, their opinions about family planning, their use of contraceptives, and their knowledge and use of family planning services. Of the 3893 teachers who responded, 65%, or 2626, were married and 92.5% were of childbearing age. The average age was 32.70 years; the average duration of marriage was 7.18 years. Half had just 1 or 2 children, with an inverse relationship between educational attainment and number of children. The number of children increased with the age of the teacher, but there was an inverse relationship between age at marriage and number of children. Just over 25% of the pregnancies ended in abortion, with an average of .64 abortions per teacher. There was a direct relationship between age of teacher and frequency of abortion. Teachers who married when they were under 20 were the most likely to abort. 13% of the teachers were pregnant at the time of the study. An inverse relationship existed between the desire to be pregnant and the number of surviving children. Statistics for married teachers over 45 who had completed their fertility indicate that the average teacher is likely to have 1.02 abortions, 3.1 deliveries, and 2.6 living children. All teachers favored family planning. 77.3% were currently practicing it, most in the 30-44 age group. 42% had consulted private doctors; 44.3% were prac ticing without medical advice; and only 14.8% went to a family planning center. The pill and the IUD were the most popular method, being used by 59.7%. Among those with children, those with no boys were the least likely to use contraceptives. Teachers, with their frequent contact with young people and parents, are seen as a good conduit for information about family planning. However, most teachers themselves got their initial information about family planning from the mass media.