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Significance of beliefs and values in predicting fertility and contraceptive behaviour in Pakistan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

M. I. Zafar ,
N. Ford  and
A. Ankomah
M. I. Zafar
Affiliation:
Institute of Population Studies, University of Exeter
N. Ford
Affiliation:
Institute of Population Studies, University of Exeter
A. Ankomah
Affiliation:
Institute of Population Studies, University of Exeter
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Summary

A comparative study of 1100 women aged 25–45 years, users and non-users of modern methods of contraception, in the urban centres of Lahore and Faisalabad was conducted in 1991. The objective of the study was to investigate reproductive behaviour and the extent to which social, cultural and attitudinal variables, such as beliefs and values about family life, religiosity and fatalism, influence the fertility decision-making process. Preferences for smaller families were found to be consistently associated with modern attitudes and behaviour towards family and religious values and obligations. Family income, husband's occupation and religiosity offered no explanation of reproductive behaviour. It is concluded that cultural setting and tradition exert an important influence on reproductive behaviour, independent of economic development.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 27 , Issue 3 , July 1995 , pp. 301 - 318
Copyright
Copyright © 1995, Cambridge University Press

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