Getting to intent: Are social norms influencing intentions to use modern contraception in the DRC?

PLoS One. 2019 Jul 16;14(7):e0219617. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219617. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Meeting the reproductive health needs of women in post-conflict settings is a global health priority. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, social norms perpetuate gender-based violence and contribute to low contraceptive use and high fertility. The Masculinité, Famille, et Foi (MFF) intervention is working with communities in Kinshasa to create normative environments supportive of modern contraception access and use. Our analysis uses survey data collected from 900 men and women in 17 community groups prior to the MFF intervention. We aimed to measure the extent to which social norms influence intentions to use modern contraception. Using multiple items to assess social norms and reference groups related to family planning and gender equity, we identified four distinct social norms constructs through factor analysis. Through structural equation modeling, we found that social norms influence intentions to use modern contraception overall, but that normative influence varies by gender.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Contraception / statistics & numerical data*
  • Contraception Behavior / statistics & numerical data*
  • Contraceptive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cultural Characteristics
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Family Planning Services / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intention*
  • Male
  • Reproductive Health
  • Sex Education
  • Sex Factors
  • Social Norms*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Contraceptive Agents

Grants and funding

This study was sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under Cooperative Agreement #AID-OAA-A-15-0042. Bryan Shaw was principal investigator of the award and Nana Apenem Dagadu was co-investigator. The funding agency had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.