Communication about family planning on desired fertility: the case of Rwanda

Esther W. Dungumaro, University of Dar es Salaam
Willy Gasafari, Kigali

Spousal communication is considered an important factor for effective family planning programmes and desired fertility. Despite that recognition, spousal communication remains a challenge to many couples in developing countries. This observation is attributed to a variety of factors ranging from cultural to economic in nature. The present paper used the 2000 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS) to assess spousal communication, about family planning on desired fertility. Analysis of various demographic and social factors was done on married couples of 15 to 49 years. Results indicated that communication about family planning is a significant covariate of the desire to have no more children. While these results suggest that there is a need to encourage spousal communication, the challenge is significant primarily because discussing sexual and reproductive health issues remains a taboo in most African societies.