Determinants of family planning behaviour among married women in the Amhara regional state: a social psychological approach

Abstract

Prompted by increased concern about population growth the present study examined the role of psychological variables namely physiological needs, security needs, belongingness needs, and openness to change as mediators of the effects of educational level, place of residence, and income level (all of which are socio economic variables) on family planning practice. Data pertaining to these variables were obtained from 229 randomly selected married women in the Amhara region (in the north – west part of Ethiopia). Socio economic indices, family planning practice, and psychological characteristics, were measured using a questionnaire. Analyses involving, mainly multiple regression and partial correlation analyses revealed that the socio-economic variables do not independently contribute to variation in family planning practice. However, the variables appear to have an effect on family planning practice indirectly via their significant relations with the psychological variables. The importance of the results, particularly in relation to the role of the psychological characteristics in determining the social behavior, and the kinds of the socio-economic conditions that help to develop the psychological characteristics are discussed.