Household Bargaining and Other Relationship Differences Between Contraceptive Users and Nonusers in Urban Ibadan, Nigeria

Neetu John, International Center for Research on Women
Meroji Sebani, International Center for Research on Women
Iman Barre , International Center for Research on Women
Funmilola OlaOlorun, University of Ibadan

In the backdrop of changing marital patterns in Urban Nigeria, our study explored if and how marriages of contraceptive users differed from non-users that might have influenced their reproductive decision-making and contraceptive use. We conducted in-depth interviews with 20 couples, 10 users and 10 non-users, and explored the similarities and differences in their marital relationship across multiple domains such as time use, decision-making including financial planning, relationship quality and reproductive decision-making. Our study found interesting differences between the groups particularly in their decision-making processes as well as the importance they placed on sexual intimacy. Women and men in the contraceptive use group described a more systematic and collaborative process of decision-making. They also saw sexual intimacy within the marriage as critical, whereas, non-users downplayed its importance. This study sheds light on key factors that might be enabling couples to achieve their reproductive goals.

See

 Presented in Session 164. Couple, Family, and Household Dynamics