Contraception in Uganda: Does religion matter?

Background:Contraception use has potential to decrease mortality and increase development, both critically needed in Uganda. Contraception is influenced by factors like access, affordability, and empowerment. Importantly, religious teachings may have influence on women’s behaviors. This study specifically focuses on contraception among Roman Catholic and Muslim women in Uganda.

Within Catholicism sex is viewed solely for procreation. Thus, efforts to prevent reproduction are forbidden. Only natural methods like abstinence, lactational amenorrhea, and the rhythm method are deemed acceptable.

Contrastingly, Islam recognizes sex as a source of pleasure. The Prophet Mohammed sanctioned the use of coitus interruptus, and many other forms of contraception have been justified as well. Sterilization is less clear as permanent alteration of the body is considered immoral.

Methods:Data from the 2011 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey were utilized for this analysis. We restricted the analysis to women who have ever had sex, were fecund, and were Muslim or Catholic, yielding an analytic sample of 3,158 women. Using survey-specific procedures in SAS 9.3, univariate and multivariable regressions were performed to examine factors associated with use of contraception.

Results:Contraception use was similar among Catholic and Muslim women (32.5% versus 35.9%). However, Muslim women were significantly more likely to make contraceptive decisions that adhered to Islamic doctrine (OR 1.82, 1.45 – 2.29).

Conclusion:While religion does not predict overall rates of contraceptive use, it plays a role in the types of contraception used. Further investigation into the role of local cultural and religious norms is needed.