Husband-Wife Communication and Family Planning Decision-Making in Nepal

Devendra P. Shrestha, Tribhuvan University

Using Demographic and Health Survey 2006 data, this paper examines the role of husband-wife communication on family planning decision-making in Nepal. The general hypothesis tested is that the likelihood of accepting contraception is positively related to husband–wife communication and husband’s approval of contraceptive use. Analysis of data of 7,646 currently married and non-pregnant women revealed that an overwhelmingly significant proportion of women (82%) perceive that their husband approve the use of any contraceptive methods. Yet about three-fifths of the women never discuss family planning with their husbands. Multiple logistic regression analyses show that husband-wife communication, particularly, the wife’s perception of her husband’s approval of family planning, is highly associated with current contraceptive use (odds ratio of 8.41). In the context of relatively low contraceptive use and high unmet need, program efforts should be focused on encouraging and motivating couples to discuss contraceptive matters.