Couples’ Decision-making About Contraception in Ghana: What Do Different Contraception Classifications Suggest?

Adriana A. Biney , University of Ghana
Naa Dodua Dodoo, University of Ghana

Few studies consider that contraceptive classification has several facets and implications. We focus on three classification types and examine between these conceptualizations, who in the couple mainly decides which methods should be used? Using the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, we obtained a sample of 507 couples currently using a contraceptive method. The three outcome variables – traditional/modern’, ‘coitally/non-coitally dependent’ and ‘female/male-controlled’ – were regressed on the predictor variable, ‘main decision-maker for contraception’. Findings indicate that 67.2% of couples made the decision to use contraception jointly. Most women used female-controlled, non-coitally dependent and modern methods. Binary logistic regression analyses show that partner and joint decision-making is associated with use of modern, female-controlled and non-coitally dependent methods, which are classifications considered as comprising of more effective methods. The findings have implications for current contraceptive use in Ghana and the role of couples’ decision-making to promote use of more effective methods.

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 Presented in Session 1. Fertility, Family Planning, Sexual Behavior, & Reproductive Health 1