Spousal Communication and decision making on family planning : Findings from a study of a Peri-Urban Community of Ipetumodu, Southwest Nigeria

Objectives: This study examined the inter-relationship between spousal communication and level of family planning use.
Methodology
This study is based on the baseline data from a longitudinal couple study in a peri-urban community, Ipetumodu, in Osun State, Nigeria collected between April and May, 2010. This study is part of a multi-country Family Health and Wealth Study in seven peri-urban communities in five sub-Saharan African countries of Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria and Uganda.
Results/ Key findings:
Out of 784 women studied, 259 (33%) of the women are currently using a form of contraception. About 397 (51%) women discussed family planning with their husbands . Of these 397, 228 (57 %) are currently using a method. (P<0.0001). The odds of using family planning are 17 times higher among those who discuss family planning with their husbands. The odds of using contraception are 3.5 times higher among those desired lesser family size compared to those who desired more children. Furthermore women who have secondary or more level of education have a higher odds of using family planning
Cnclusion: Our findings also showed that the decision to use ontraceptive is majorly a joint decision between husband and wife