Abstract

PIP: The influence of social and economic institutions on fertility and contraception were examined by collecting data from the guardians of these institutions, 1.e., community leaders. Recently, the International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) conducted an operation research project in 4 rural upazila -- Sirajganj, Gopalpur, Abhoynagar, and Fultala. In a survey conducted as part of that project, wards were treated as communities and the leaders were interviewed in groups to collect information on community characteristics and their attitudes and knowledge about several aspects of social life, particularly those concerning fertility and contraception. In each ward, union council members were selected along with the union council chair, if the chair's residence was in that particular ward. The other 2-3 members were selected from among the local school teachers and political leaders. In all regions, a large majority of the community leaders support the use of modern contraceptives, but they expressed strong opposition to women's participation in jobs outside the home. Male children are regarded as old-age security in all regions, but community leaders also recognize that due to worsening economic conditions, children are less dependable for this purpose in these times. Approximately 1/3 of the religious leaders in the regions are against family planning, but the religious leaders in Sirajganj are more supportive of family planning than those in Abhoynagar. In both regions, a large proportion of the religious leaders report that they have little or no influence on the individual's fertility decision. Yet, they recognized that, owing to perceived religious objections, people are not practicing contraception. The religions leaders in the 2 regions also are against women's participation in any job outside the home. No consistent relationship was observed between the availability of educational facilities and contraceptive use, but the presence of a religious school has a depressing impact on the contraceptive use rate. In both regions, the presence of government health clinics has a strong positive association with the contraceptive use rate. Community development programs showed an inconsistent relationship with the contraceptive use rate.