Contraceptive Use in Madagascar
Joel Raveloharimisy (Behavioral Sciences)
The Influence of Family Dynamics on Contraceptive Use in Madagascar and the Ensuing Impact on Family Well-Being
The literature on family planning and development suggests that family dynamics are related to contraceptive use (e.g. DeRose et al. 2004, Macht 2008) and that contraceptive use impacts family well-being (e.g. Canning and Schultz 2012, Gribble and Voss 2009). Theoretically speaking, it should follow that family dynamics (in the context of contraceptive use) should affect family well-being. However, no empirical study has been conducted to test whether a causal relationship exists between family dynamics and family well-being, and consequently it is not clear how the first variable affects the second. This research will help to fill this gap.
Knowing the causal relationship will allow us to determine the appropriate approach to use and message to convey in family planning interventions in order to achieve broader development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals. It will also offer suggestions and ideas about development programs focused on family welfare to countries with family dynamics similar to those of the research location, Madagascar, where actors besides the couple have significant influence on family decisions.