SPOUSES’ SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND CONTRACEPTIVE USE IN KINSHASA, ZAIRE

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of spouses’ education, fertility desires, and marital characteristics on contraceptive use in Kinshasa, Zaire. The results reveal that, while family planning services focus their activities exclusively on women, husbands’ education and fertility desire are very important in explaining the use of birth control in marriage. This male role is crucial in understanding fertility patterns in Africa, where the major familial decisions are made by the husband.