Contraceptive decisions and HIV/AIDS concerns among married couples in Malawi

J Biosoc Sci. 2011 May;43(3):329-43. doi: 10.1017/S0021932010000738. Epub 2011 Jan 7.

Abstract

This study investigates current contraceptive use among Malawi couples. The data examined are from the 2001 Malawi Diffusion and Ideational Change Project (MDICP). The aim of the study is to explore whether contraceptive use among married couples is affected by the couple's concerns about HIV/AIDS and couple's age difference. Contraceptive use was found to be associated with the couple's HIV concern and family planning goals. There is no significant association between spousal age difference and contraceptive use. The findings are important for future work on the connection of marital concerns about HIV/AIDS with contraceptive behaviours, especially the use of condoms, and for informing HIV preventive strategies in marriage.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Contraception Behavior / psychology*
  • Decision Making*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • Health Behavior
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Malawi / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Marriage / statistics & numerical data*
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Young Adult