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. 2008 Oct 24;19(55):1851-1882.
doi: 10.4054/DemRes.2008.19.55.

Beyond Denomination: The Relationship between Religion and Family Planning in Rural Malawi

Sara E Yeatman  1 , Jenny Trinitapoli
Affiliations

Beyond Denomination: The Relationship between Religion and Family Planning in Rural Malawi

Sara E Yeatman et al. Demogr Res. .

Abstract

Despite the centrality of religion and fertility to life in rural Africa, the relationship between the two remains poorly understood. The study presented here uses unique integrated individual and congregational level data from rural Malawi to examine religious influences on contraceptive use. In this religiously diverse population, we find evidence that the particular characteristics of a congregation-leader's positive attitudes toward family planning and discussion of sexual morality, which do not fall along broad denominational lines-are more relevant than denominational categories for predicting women's contraceptive use. We further find evidence for a relationship between religious socialization and contraceptive behavior.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Total fertility rate by religious affiliation, Malawi 2004 DHS
Figure 2
Figure 2
Participation in extracurricular religious activities by religious affiliation
Figure 3
Figure 3
Ever Use of Family Planning by Religious Affiliation
Figure 4
Figure 4
Current Use of Modern Family Planning by Religious Affiliation
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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