PDF, 1536K - Measure DHS

FERTILITY REGULATION 5
Information on knowledge of family planning methods provides a measure of the level of
awareness of contraception in the population and indicates the success of information, education, and
communication (IEC) programs. In addition, knowledge of at least one method and a positive attitude
toward contraception is a prerequisite for the use of contraception.
Information collected in the 2000 Ethiopia DHS on knowledge, behavior, and attitudes toward
family planning methods, as well as exposure to media messages about family planning, is presented in
this chapter. The levels and trends of ever use and current use of family planning are also discussed.
5.1 KNOWLEDGE OF CONTRACEPTION
The level of knowledge of contraception was measured in two ways. Respondents were first
asked to mention all the methods of contraception that they had heard of. When a respondent failed to
mention a particular method spontaneously, the interviewer described the method to see if the
respondent recognized it. Thus, in the Ethiopia DHS, those who have ever heard of a contraceptive
method include those who spontaneously report having heard of a method and those who acknowledge
having heard about a method after probing.
Information was collected for eight modern methods—the pill, the IUD, injectables, implants,
vaginal methods (including diaphragm, foam, jelly, or cream), condoms, and female and male
sterilization—and two traditional methods—periodic abstinence and withdrawal. In addition, provision
was made in the questionnaire to record any other methods mentioned spontaneously.
Table 5.1 shows the percentage of all women and men, currently married women and men,
sexually active and inactive unmarried women and men, and women and men with no sexual experience,
who have heard about specific contraceptive methods. Although the table presents findings for all
married and unmarried women and men, this report pays particular attention to currently married
women since they have the greatest level of exposure to the risk of pregnancy. Even though modern
family planning in Ethiopia is a recent phenomenon, particularly in rural areas, knowledge of
contraceptive methods is relatively high, with 82 percent of all women age 15-49 and 86 percent of all
men age 15-59 knowing at least one method of family planning.
Knowledge is slightly higher among currently married women and men (86 and 92 percent,
respectively) than among all women and men. In general, however, Ethiopian men are more likely to
have heard of a contraceptive method than women. Among currently married women and men, for
instance, men had higher levels of knowledge for all the methods, with the difference in knowledge
being particularly higher for condoms and traditional methods.
The pill is the most widely known modern method, with 82 percent of currently married women
and 85 percent of currently married men having heard of it. It is followed by injectables, which are
known by seven in ten married women and men. Vaginal methods are the least recognized modern
method, mentioned by 4 percent of currently married women and 6 percent of currently married men.
Fertility Regulation* 47