Women's Credit Programs and Family Planning in Rural Bangladesh

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between credit programs and family planning attitudes and practices among women in rural Bangladesh. The credit programs were sponsored by five nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Data were obtained from surveys conducted in 1995 in the areas where the credit programs were operating. The total sample comprised 3564 married women aged under 50 years 2364 women from 50 program areas and 1200 women from 30 comparison areas. The empowerment index included three scales that measured womens freedom to manage household expenses alone womens freedom of movement outside the household and womens authority in dealing with family affairs. Credit members tended to be older with higher parity and higher socioeconomic status than nonmembers. Credit members had higher empowerment scores than nonmembers or nonprogram women. Credit program members were significantly more likely to be contraceptive users. 44% used the pill 13% used injectables and 28% were sterilized. Nonmembers more frequently used oral contraceptives. Contraceptives were not generally supplied by NGO workers. 90% of users received supplies from government clinics/hospitals or government family planning workers. 97% of credit program members desired no more than one additional child. 83% of nonmembers and 86% of nonprogram members desired no more than one additional child. Ideal family size was 2.24 among credit program members and 2.44 among nonprogram women. Women nonusers with no intention to use reported nonuse due to sickness (28%) amenorrhea (17%) desire for more children (12%) and religious beliefs (12%). Logistic model findings indicate that empowerment was significantly associated with contraceptive use smaller ideal family size and greater likelihood of a future intention to use.