<p>This thesis study women’s possibility to take reproductive decisions in Babati, Tanzania. Tanzania has one of the highest total fertility rates in Sub-Saharan Africa and hence a high child- and maternal mortality rate. Family planning service can help individuals to reach their reproductive goals but it is not always available or accessible. The purpose is to see what socioeconomic factors affect women’s ability to influence family planning, make a comparison between urban and rural settings, and see if women perceive themselves to have the freedom to choose. A field work in Babati was conducted during three weeks in the spring of 2009. The research questions were answered through a qualitative study with semi structured group interviews, mainly done with women but also with health personnel. The result was analysed through the concepts of gender, power and education. The respondents expressed that the husband is the main obstacle for their possibility to decide over their own fertility. Urban women generally felt free to take reproductive decisions, but rural women did not. The difference between the two settings is explained by women’s negotiating skills that depend on their status within the family and the society. Urban women are more often educated and therefore have more status and more power to influence decision-making, including reproductive decisions. Other problems in rural areas are that family planning services are less accessible and facilities sometimes lack resources. Rural health workers do not always keep statistics which makes it difficult for health planners to know what needs to be improved. The Ministry of Health and other actors need to promote women’s access to the facilities. Further recommendations suggest programs that empower women and educate men in family planning issues.</p>

<p>Due to the crucial role that women play in child bearing, FP programmes in Africa have traditionally concentrated on reaching women through the maternal and child health services. Thus the disproportionate emphasis has been biased towards women and men have largely been ignored (Djamba, 1995). This means that women may get little support or face resistance from their male partners. Yet participation of male partners affects the choice, adoption, continuation and correct use of FP methods (Fapohunda &amp / Rutenberg, 1999). Traditionally men have the power to make decisions regarding reproductive health (Djamba, 1995). For success of the FP programmes men can participate in two ways, either by supporting the partners&rsquo / decision to use FP, or through the use of male FP methods (Roudi &amp / Ashford, 1996). According to Lundgren et al. (2005), the challenge of redirecting FP services towards greater male involvement lies in formulating effective interventions. Therefore, this study seeks to contribute towards strategies that would reach out to men to participate more in FP to increase contraceptive use and reduce total fertility rate.</p>

This thesis study women’s possibility to take reproductive decisions in Babati, Tanzania. Tanzania has one of the highest total fertility rates in Sub-Saharan Africa and hence a high child- and maternal mortality rate. Family planning service can help individuals to reach their reproductive goals but it is not always available or accessible. The purpose is to see what socioeconomic factors affect women’s ability to influence family planning, make a comparison between urban and rural settings, and see if women perceive themselves to have the freedom to choose. A field work in Babati was conducted during three weeks in the spring of 2009. The research questions were answered through a qualitative study with semi structured group interviews, mainly done with women but also with health personnel. The result was analysed through the concepts of gender, power and education. The respondents expressed that the husband is the main obstacle for their possibility to decide over their own fertility. Urban women generally felt free to take reproductive decisions, but rural women did not. The difference between the two settings is explained by women’s negotiating skills that depend on their status within the family and the society. Urban women are more often educated and therefore have more status and more power to influence decision-making, including reproductive decisions. Other problems in rural areas are that family planning services are less accessible and facilities sometimes lack resources. Rural health workers do not always keep statistics which makes it difficult for health planners to know what needs to be improved. The Ministry of Health and other actors need to promote women’s access to the facilities. Further recommendations suggest programs that empower women and educate men in family planning issues.

This thesis explores how Dual Income No Kids (DINK) couples within the United States approach family planning. The study is based on ethnographic work I carried out over the course of 2011, including a nationwide survey and in-depth interviews I conducted in Atlanta, Georgia, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Denver Colorado. Specifically, I was interested in investigating why these couples were “delaying” having children based on the national average. While current literature points to changes in education, healthcare, and societal values as being the catalyst for the DINK movement, I wanted to understand Americans’ childbearing decisions on a more personal level. Through this project I looked at how both the social goals (parent and peer role models) and personal pressures (prioritization of education, career and marital partnership) influence an individual’s decision about whether and when to have children. As such, I also explore themes of identity, life narrative, and choice in regards to family planning. Whereas the popular stereotype of DINK suggests that these couples are uninterested in family or “family values”, my research shows that many couples actually choose to be DINK for a time because they are actively pursuing and preparing for parenthood.

Thesis (M.A.)--Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 2001. / "May 2001." Includes bibliographical references (p. 71-76).

Thesis (M. Soc. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1986.

<p>Due to the crucial role that women play in child bearing, FP programmes in Africa have traditionally concentrated on reaching women through the maternal and child health services. Thus the disproportionate emphasis has been biased towards women and men have largely been ignored (Djamba, 1995). This means that women may get little support or face resistance from their male partners. Yet participation of male partners affects the choice, adoption, continuation and correct use of FP methods (Fapohunda &amp / Rutenberg, 1999). Traditionally men have the power to make decisions regarding reproductive health (Djamba, 1995). For success of the FP programmes men can participate in two ways, either by supporting the partners&rsquo / decision to use FP, or through the use of male FP methods (Roudi &amp / Ashford, 1996). According to Lundgren et al. (2005), the challenge of redirecting FP services towards greater male involvement lies in formulating effective interventions. Therefore, this study seeks to contribute towards strategies that would reach out to men to participate more in FP to increase contraceptive use and reduce total fertility rate.</p>

Thesis (M.A. (Population and Reproductive Health Research))--Mahidol University, 1999.

Thesis (M.A. (Population and Reproductive Health Research))--Mahidol University, 1999.

Thesis (M.P.H.M. (Primary Health Care Management))--Mahidol University, 2003.