This paper will employ data derived from focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) among men and women of reproductive ages in four regions of Tanzania. The Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs (JHU/CCP) provided technical assistance for the study. In the paper, the role of the woman in contraceptive decision-making and the process involved in such a decision will be examined. The paper will also show that women are generally considered as junior partners in household decision-making and that men are expected to have the last say in important decisions within the family. Nonetheless, couples are expected to discuss reproductive health issues and make a common decision. The use of family planning is expected to be a joint decision between husband and wife and for a woman to commence contraceptive use without her husband's prior approval is to jeopardize conjugal harmony. However many women would not bother to discuss their intention to use contraception with their spouses and would adopt a method without his knowledge if they sensed that the husband is not in favor of the practice. The factors influencing the conjugal decision-making power of the wife and the steps involved in contraceptive decision making process within the couple will be identified. The paper will also highlight the arguments that could be used for men and women to encourage them to discuss family planning with their spouses and generally discuss the policy and programmatic implications of the findings.
Learning Objectives: By the end of the session, participants will be able appreciate the complexity of spousal communication on reproductive issues, better understand the need for a couples (rather than individual) approach to family planning, and learn of practical and effective ways of addressing spousal communicaiton in African societies
Keywords: Reproductive Health, Decision-Making
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.