Polygamy and the use of contraceptives

Abstract

ObjectivesTo compare contraceptive use among women in monogamous and polygamous marriages in Nigeria. MethodsStructured questionnaires administered to married women enquired about their marriage type, sociodemographic characteristics, and contraceptive use. ResultsOf the 532 respondents, 33.6% were in polygamous marriages. There was a statistically significant association between monogamy and nonutilization of contraception (P=0.03); however, women in polygamous marriages were more likely not to use contraception when they were older than 35 years, had 4 or more living children, had no male child, had 3 or more female children, or lived in rural areas. There was also a statistically significant association between nonutilization of contraception and number of male children of co-wives (P=0.003), number of female children of co-wives (P=0.05), and use of contraception by co-wives (P=0.002). ConclusionPolygamy influences contraceptive use and the role of co-wives in this regard merits further study.