ISSN: 2578-5001
Authors: Iheoma CG*
Spousal intimacy has been argued to have the tendency to improve contraceptive use. In Nigeria, there is no empirical evidence to corroborate or refute this argument. This study attempts to fill this gap by examining the effect of spousal intimacy on contraceptive uptake using data from the Nigerian national demographic and health survey 2018. The dataset covers nationally representative 8,061 women of child-bearing age drawn from the 36 states of the country and the capital territory. Data are analyzed using the logistic regression model. We use two measures of contraceptive use: ever-used contraceptive and currently using contraceptive. Evidence shows that physical intimacy is positively and significantly associated with contraceptive use (with OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 0.28 - 0.73, for ever-used) and (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 0.20 - 0.74, for currently using). Other covariates – education, number of children, family income, and age – are found to be significantly associated with both measures of contraceptive use. The study concludes that identifying and incorporating spousal-based innovations into family planning interventions may provide a leverage for improving contraceptive uptake in developing countries.
Keywords: Contraceptive; Spousal Intimacy; Family Planning; Reproductive Health
