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Traditional contraception in modern times: a methodological enquiry in measurement of traditional methods of contraceptive use in four African countries

Naa Dodoo, University of Ghana
Maame Peterson, African Institute for Development Policy
Nyovani Madise, African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP)

In recent times, the focus of fertility reduction and contraceptive uptake programming has been on modern methods with traditional methods of contraception receiving little attention. Consequently, there is a dearth of knowledge about women who use traditional methods to delay or prevent pregnancy, and their motivations to use these methods, including whether they are used in transitioning to modern methods, are a replacement for modern methods, or because of structural or ideological barriers. Current research instruments do little justice to unearthing the dynamics and nuances of traditional method use. This paper uses data from a mixed-method study in four sub-Saharan African countries, to investigate the understanding and use dynamics of traditional methods as well as women’s motivations for using them. Findings will give insight on the understanding of traditional methods use in different settings as well as how various patterns of questioning in surveys result in differing estimates of traditional and modern contraceptive use, concurrency of method-use and dynamics of method-use with different partners. Ultimately, this information can be used to refine the design and implementation of existing surveys, thus leading to better estimates of traditional contraception use and better outcomes for all users of contraception.

Keywords: Family planning and contraception, Methodology, Comparative methods, Mixed methods research

See extended abstract.

  Presented in Session P4.