Effect of spousal communication on use of contraceptives among rural women of Bangladesh

Lutfun Nahar, ICDDR,B: Centre for Health and Population Research

Using a longitudinal data from Matlab health and demographic surveillance system, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh for a period of 1984-1994, the study examines the three forms spousal communication factors: i) discussion between spouses on fertility control measures, ii) number of children wanted and iii) approval of family planning programme and its association with use of contraceptives to achieve a desired family size. It also examine whether the spousal communication have changed during the period studied and the changing effect of the communication over time. Data were specially designed to examine the changing relationship between spousal communication and use of contraceptives. Results show that all three forms of spousal communications have significant positive relationship with use of contraceptives. Communication between spouses has further increased during the study period. These have changing effect on the use of contraceptives. This extended communication have policy relevance in the context of HIV/AIDS.