Factors related to married or cohabiting women’s decision to use modern contraceptives methods in Mahikeng, South Africa.

Abstract

Background: Sexual and reproductive decision-making has emerged as an important health
indicator in family reproductive health issues. While there is evidence of male dominance in
sexual and reproductive health decisions, the role of sociodemographic factors on women’s
decision to use contraception is not well understood.
Aim: This study aimed at exploring the sociodemographic factors associated with married
women’s decision-making to use contraception.
Setting: The study was conducted in Mahikeng local municipality in the Modiri Molema
District Municipality.
Methods: Data were generated in Mahikeng from married and cohabiting women, aged
18–49 years, from a survey comprising 568 participants. Data were collected on women’s
demographic characteristics and contraceptive behavior. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate
analyses were used to examine factors related to decision-making on contraceptive use.
Results: The result revealed that 57% of the participants were currently using contraception
and 45% stated jointly-made decisions regarding the use of contraception. Decisions on the use
of contraceptives were associated with education, occupation, religion, duration of union, and home language. Other factors associated with decision-making on contraceptive use
were perception of the husband’s right to sex, use of force for sex, and spousal communication
about sex.
Conclusion: Empowering women to use contraception to meet their fertility desire should
aim at improving their socio-economic status and spousal communication. Family planning
providers should recognize socio-cultural barriers under which the relationships exist and
how women can navigate these contextual factors.