Objective:This paper highlights the relevance of spousal communication on males' attitude towards their partners' contraceptive use.Design:This was a cross-sectional study.Materials and Methods:Data for the study were obtained from a survey carried out in three states, Oyo, Osun, and Ondo, mainly inhabited by the Yorubas.Results:The results show that men have a significant role to play in the adoption of contraception. About 37% of the respondents reported joint decision making on when to have another child, 40.8% on whether to stop having children, and 44% on what to do to stop childbearing. Communication between a husband and wife on reproductive matters was also recognized as a factor that may influence male participation in family planning.Conclusion:This study has shown that the male partner may be highly motivated to obtain contraceptives. The results therefore suggest that male involvement in family planning should be encouraged through inter-spousal communication.

The paper examines the perception and attitudes of the Yorubas about the existence of abiku (children from the spirit world) and the mode of treatment given to such children. The study elicited information from 1695 women of reproductive age in Ondo and Ekiti state of Southwest Nigeria. The study shows (i) that more than half of the respondents believe in the existence of abiku children; (ii) that abiku children can be identified from the evidence of past death, frequent indisposition, non-responsiveness of their illness to modern medical care as well as repeated death and verification from traditional healers; (iii) that causes of illness differ between abiku and non-abiku children; (iv) close to 71 percent of the respondents have faith in traditional methods of treatment for abiku children. The study, therefore, reiterate the need to integrate the people's beliefs, attitudes and behavioural practices into health promotion programmes.

BackgroundFertility desires and contraceptive behavior often change over time. This study examined the influence of change in fertility desires on change in modern contraceptive use over time in three peri-urban communities in sub-Saharan Africa.MethodsThis multi-site study includes baseline and follow up data from 3 sites in the Family Health and Wealth Study. Following a census in each site, a probability sample of at least 500 households was obtained. Generalized linear models were employed.ResultsModern contraceptive use increased in Ipetumodu, Nigeria (29.4 % to 36.7 %), but declined slightly in Sebeta, Ethiopia (66.9 % to 61.3 %) and Asawase, Ghana (12.6 % to 10.8 %). Across sites, at baseline and follow up, women who wanted no more children reported more contraceptive use, compared with those who wanted more children, and were more likely to shift to being contraceptive users in Ipetumodu [aOR(95 % CI):1.55 (1.07,2.26)].ConclusionsWomen’s fertility desires influenced their contraceptive behavior, although there were cross-site differences. Changing contraceptive demand and program factors will be important to enable peri-urban women to frame and act on their fertility desires.

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The objective of this study is to examine the attitudes and perceptions of men towards domestic violence and contraceptive use. Data for the study were obtained from a survey conducted between February and May 2003 in Osun and Ondo states of south west Nigeria. The study reveals that: (1) more than 80 per cent of men disapprove of a woman deciding to use contraceptives without consulting them; (2) a significant proportion of men view domestic violence as acceptable; (3) the results therefore signify serious problems concerning the role of men in reproductive issues, which the current efforts in family planning have not adequately addressed.