Contraception (Birth Control) and Family Planning PubHealthInfo

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PubHealth.info® (a subsidiary of PakMed) presents scientific information mainly based on abstracts of articles published on a variety of public health issues/topics, particularly encompassing population planning, disease prevention, maternal and child health, and communicable and non-communicable diseases (like HIV AIDS, malaria, etc) that are affecting a significant portion of population in developing and developed countries. Here you can find abstracts of articles published on a variety of public health topics under category "Contraception (Birth Control) and Family Planning". Contraception (birth control) is a regimen of one or more actions, devices, or medications followed in order to deliberately prevent or reduce the likelihood of a woman becoming pregnant or giving birth. Therefore contraception is the utilization of various and sundry surgical procedures, devices, practices, agents, or drugs with the intention of preventing conception or impregnation (pregnancy). Methods and intentions typically termed birth control may be considered a pivotal ingredient to family planning. Birth control is a controversial political and ethical issue in many cultures and religions, and although it is generally less controversial than abortion specifically.

YEAR: 1997

CATEGORY: Contraception (Birth Control) and Family Planning

TITLE

Cultural factors constraining the introduction of family planning among the

Kassena-Nankana of northern Ghana.

AUTHORS

Adongo PB; Phillips JF; Kajihara B; Fayorsey C; Debpuur C; Binka FN

SOURCE

Social Science and Medicine. 1997 Dec;45(12):1789-804.

ABSTRACT

This study examines reasons why women from Kassena-Nankana district in rural Ghana were reluctant to adopt

family planning. The aim is to determine the appropriate social environment for adoption of family planning. 12

focus groups of about 8-12 women and men were conducted in rural Kassena-Nankana District. Women were

grouped as under 30 years of age and 30-45 years of age. Men were grouped as under or over 30 years of age. Two

focus groups included adolescent students from a nearby secondary school. Groups were homogenous with respect

to ethnolinguistic composition, sex, age, and social status. In-depth interviews were conducted among influential

persons. The Kassena-Nankana practice patrilocal and patrilineal descent. Marriage is arranged by couples with

the consent of the bride's family. Payment of brideswealth seals the union permanently. Male dominance is

reinforced by marriage customs, related institutions of lineage, polygyny, and the family. Women are viewed as

property of the corporate patrilineage; they are not individuals with autonomous rights. Males have power over

relationships, use of family resources, and health-seeking decisions. Almost 90% of the women reported the need to

obtain permission for travel outside the compound. Program accessibility is an issue of requiring community

approval and understanding by husbands, compound heads, lineage leaders, and wives. The characteristics,

beliefs, and practices of the "gatekeepers" are very important determinants of health-seeking behavior. At least 33%

of women expressed preferences for childbearing. Strategies that focus on individual unmet need will not work. The

discussions reveal that some people are now associating problems in land supply with fertility, but culturally

appropriate methods for reaching this population will be necessary before adoption is assured and unmet need is

fulfilled. (PubHealth.info Document ID: CONT2T 527-06)

PubHealth.info NOTE: The author(s) of this article titled, "Cultural factors constraining the introduction of family

planning among the Kassena-Nankana of northern Ghana.", is(are) Adongo PB; Phillips JF; Kajihara B; Fayorsey

C; Debpuur C; Binka FN. The source of this article is "Social Science and Medicine. 1997 Dec;45(12):1789-804.".

This article was published in 1997 in English language(s). (PubHealth.info® Document ID: CONT2T 527-06. All

rights reserved with PubHealth.info) PIN: 5527

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