Ideation and intention to use contraceptives in Kenya and Nigeria
Babalola, S.; John, N.; Ajao, B.; Speizer, I.S.
Demographic Research 33: 211-238
2015
ISSN/ISBN: 1435-9871 PMID: 31303859 Document Number: 636567
Contraceptive use remains low to moderate in most African countries. Ideation or the ideas and views that people hold has been advanced as a possible explanation for differences in contraceptive use within and across countries. In this paper, we sought to identify the relevant dimensions of ideation and assessed how these dimensions relate to contraceptive use intentions in two illustrative countries - Kenya and Nigeria. Using factor analysis, we first identified the relevant dimensions of ideation from a set of cognitive, emotional and social interactions items. Subsequently, we examined the relationships of these dimensions with intention to use contraceptives. The data revealed four dimensions of contraceptive ideation in both countries: perceived self-efficacy, myths and rumors related to contraceptives, social interactions and influence, and contraceptive awareness. All four dimensions of ideation are strongly associated with contraceptive use intention in Nigeria. Both perceived self-efficacy and myths and rumors dimensions were significantly associated with contraceptive use intention in Kenya. In contrast, social interaction dimension and contraceptive awareness were not strongly associated with intention in Kenya. The ideation model is relevant for contraceptive use research and programing. Programs seeking to increase contraceptive use and help women to attain their desired family size should promote contraceptive self-efficacy and identify ways to correct prevailing myths and rumors.