Common use of Policy Implications Clause in Contracts

Policy Implications. This analysis indicates that as the number of living children increases, the likelihood of approval of family planning and discussion of family planning issues by both partners increases. In sub-Saharan Africa, communication between husband and wife about family planning issues when they have a “large family” is an indication of latent demand for fertility control. A couple’s communication about family planning and their reproductive goals allow partners to plan whether and when to have children and how many to have. In addition, it leads to the adoption of contraceptive methods, and the continued use of the methods chosen. Men’s involvement in family planning decisions is crucial if couples are to achieve their joint fertility desires. Governments and donors should promote the expansion of community outreach programs that focus on family planning education, particularly those emphasizing the programmatic impact of spousal communication. Given the generally high level of approval of family planning and the low level of spousal communication, family planning programs need to implement better ways of reaching couples and community leaders, to encourage discussion between spouses on family planning and reproductive goals. Many factors constrain the use of family planning in sub-Saharan Africa. For example, couples may not know about contraception or the types of contraceptive methods available; cultural values may support high fertility and thus discouraging use of contraception; a woman’s low status relative to her husband/partner may limit her ability to use family planning services; women may lack access to choices regarding contraceptive methods; and women may have misinformation about the effectiveness of contraceptive methods and their side effects. Family planning programs should provide information to address such constraints, to encourage spousal communication about contraception, and to help couples recognize their contraceptive needs and fertility desires. In communities where polygyny is widely practiced, men’s roles present a challenge to family planning and reproductive health programs. In such societies, the man is often involved in decisionmaking with different, often conflicting, implications for each of his wives or partners. Programs that aim to encourage communication between spouses must consider the challenges that a polygynous relationship presents. Furthermore, to better understand contraceptive use dynamics in a polygynous union, the DHS individual questionnaire for men should ask the husband about his reproductive preferences and family planning attitudes for each of his wives. Bankole, A. 1995. Desired fertility and fertility behaviour among the Yoruba of Nigeria: A study of couple preferences and subsequent fertility. Population Studies 49(2): 317-328.