Social Network Impact on Family Planning Use in Benin

• Activity Number: 423 - SPEED: Biopharmaceutical Statistics, Medical Devices, and Mental Health
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Tuesday, August 1, 2017 : 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM
• Sponsor: Social Statistics Section
• Author(s): Theresa Y Kim* and Kimberly A Ashburn and Rebecka I Lundgren and Susan M Igras
• Companies: Maryland Population Research Center and Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and Institute for Reproductive Health, Georgetown University and Institute for Reproductive Health, Georgetown University
• Keywords: Difference-in-difference ; marginal effects ; contraception ; family planning ; population health ; social network diffusion theory

Abstract

Intro: The total contraceptive prevalence rates (CPR) in Benin have been less than 20%. Social network theory proposes that individuals are connected to others in nonrandom networks, and that social interaction through these networks influence individuals' decisions and behaviors. Based on social network theory, the Tékponon Jikuagou (TJ) project uses social mapping to identify and train influential community actors, who in turn, encourage community dialogue about fertility desires and family planning, which reduce social barriers to family planning (FP) use. Methods: TJ used a pre-post study design. A baseline survey was conducted before the intervention, followed by an 18 month intervention period and an endline survey. A sample of 2,160 (1,080 women and men) were recruited at baseline. Results: A Difference-in-Difference analysis revealed exposure to TJ was associated with increasing modern family planning use. However we also used marginal effects analyses due to the nature of our interaction between time and treatment condition. These results were not consistent. Marginal effect analyses found significant reduction in unmet need for modern contraception.