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Abstract
The practice of post-partum abstinence has been a long-standing tradition in many societies of tropical Africa, yet recent research suggests an erosion of the taboo on post-partum sexual relations as a means of fertility control. The current study among women in the lower income groups in Kinshasa, Zaire, provides evidence of this. There is strong motivation toward child-spacing, as shown by 80 per cent of the women who reported to be currently practising some means of fertility control: 73 per cent with traditional methods, only 7 per cent with modern contraceptives. There appears to be some carry-over of traditional practice, in that abstinence is related to the age and nursing status of the last born child. However, the most widely practised method is withdrawal. This suggests a desire on the part of this population for alternatives to abstinence, an issue with important implications for future family planning programs in Zaire.
This research was conducted as part of a contract from the United States Agency for International Development to Tulane University (Nutrition Planning Project no. 660-0055).The authors would like to thank Dr Kabamba Nkamany, Dr Jesus Rico and Ms Janice Engstrom for their assistance.
This research was conducted as part of a contract from the United States Agency for International Development to Tulane University (Nutrition Planning Project no. 660-0055).The authors would like to thank Dr Kabamba Nkamany, Dr Jesus Rico and Ms Janice Engstrom for their assistance.
Notes
This research was conducted as part of a contract from the United States Agency for International Development to Tulane University (Nutrition Planning Project no. 660-0055).The authors would like to thank Dr Kabamba Nkamany, Dr Jesus Rico and Ms Janice Engstrom for their assistance.