Zambia Demographic and Health Survey 2001-2002 - Measure DHS

Table 5.18 Discussion of family planning with husbandPercent distribution of currently married women who know a contraceptive methodby the number of times they discussed family planning with their husband in the pastyear, according to current age, Zambia 2001-2002––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Number of times family planningwas discussed with husband––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– NumberofAge Never 1-2 3+ Missing Total women––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––15-19 43.6 40.0 16.4 0.0 100.0 42820-24 26.1 40.8 33.1 0.0 100.0 1,08125-29 21.7 39.6 38.4 0.4 100.0 1,05130-34 24.2 39.9 35.9 0.0 100.0 75435-39 28.5 31.2 39.8 0.5 100.0 58940-44 35.8 32.6 31.6 0.0 100.0 44345-49 51.9 27.0 21.1 0.0 100.0 314Total 29.4 37.4 33.1 0.1 100.0 4,6605.18 ATTITUDES OF COUPLES TOWARD FAMILY PLANNINGWhen couples have a positive attitude toward family planning, they are more likely to adopt afamily planning method. In the 2001-2002 ZDHS survey, married women were asked whether theyapproved of couples using family planning and what they perceived as their husband’s attitude towardfamily planning. This information is important in the formulation of family planning policies because itindicates the extent to which further education and publicity are needed to increase acceptance of familyplanning. Table 5.19 shows the percent distribution of currently married women who know a contraceptivemethod, by approval of family planning and their perception of their husband’s attitude toward familyplanning, according to background characteristics. An overwhelming majority (87 percent) of marriedwomen approve of family planning, with only 10 percent disapproving and 4 percent unsure. Moreover,two-thirds of married women believe their husband approves of family planning, with only 16 percentreporting that their husband disapproves of family planning.Approval of family planning is higher in urban than rural areas and increases with increasinglevel of education.90 │ Fertility Regulation