Husband-Wife Decision Making Dynamics and Modern Contraceptives Method Use Type in Ghana

Abstract

The literature suggests an important association between husband-wife decision making and contraceptive use. Decision making in every marital union is very crucial because it helps to strengthen the bond between couples as negotiations can be made on delicate issues, such as those pertaining to fertility preference, the type of modern contraceptive method to use, and other reproductive health issues that affect the overall health and wellbeing of the woman. The main objective of the study was to describe the relationship between husbandwife decision making dynamics on the type of modern contraceptive methods used in Ghana. The study used the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) women’s file dataset and the weighted sample consisted of 1,164 married or cohabiting women who were currently using a modern method of contraception. Husband-wife decision making and the type of modern contraceptive method used was investigated by using cross tabulations and binary logistic regression techniques to assess their associations. At the multivariate level, the relationship between decision making and the type of modern contraceptive method used was analyzed while controlling for socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the woman using binary logistic regression. Decision making was found to be a statistically significant predictor of the type of modern contraceptive method used as those making joint decisions were more likely to use longacting and permanent methods of contraception. A woman’s age, ethnicity, wealth quintile, partner’s age and education showed significant associations with the type of contraceptive method used. Findings from the study inform recommendations to improve joint decision making among couples. There is also a need for further qualitative research to explore the details of husband-wife decision making and how it influences their type of modern contraceptive method used.