Couples’ Concordance on Reproductive Intentions as a Predictor of Contraceptive Use: Findings from a Study of a Peri-Urban Community of Ipetumodu, Southwest Nigeria

Olasupo P. Ogunjuyigbe, Obafemi Awolowo University
Ambrose Akinlo, Obafemi Awolowo University
Babalola Adeyemi, Obafemi Awolowo University
Ernest Orji, Obafemi Awolowo University

While many researches have shown that contraceptive use tends to increase where there is spousal communication and concordance on reproductive intentions, many other studies, using couple data, have equally shown that most spouses do not accurately report the views/intentions of their partners. This study is based on the baseline data from a longitudinal couple study in a peri-urban community, Ipetumodu, in Osun State, Nigeria collected between April and May, 2010. The study shows that there is a noticeable level of discordance when the response of each wife is matched with her husband’s on several issues. For instance, only 14% of couples concurred that they use contraception. The study indicates that women have a stronger preference for a large family size relative to men. Also, the proportion of women using contraception is highest when couples desire to have no more children.