Attitudes, beliefs and norms relating to contraceptive use among young migrant and non-migrant adults in urban Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

The young urban population of Tanzania is growing rapidly, primarily due to rural-urban migration. More information is needed on the challenges facing young adult urban women and men in using family planning (FP). The purpose of this study is to identify perceptions, interpersonal and familial attitudes, and sociocultural norms regarding FP among young adults (18–25 years) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, comparing responses by sex, marital status and migration status. We conducted 12 focus groups with young adult men and women (n = 74) in Dar es Salaam in December 2009. Participants knew of modern contraceptive methods, but had serious concerns about side effects. Single men and women preferred condoms. Female migrants stated that traditional methods were ineffective, yet commonly used in rural areas. Men's desires for more children frequently led female migrants not to use FP, while many married long-term residents used FP discreetly. Single women sometimes received the support of their parents/boyfriends to access and use contraception. Findings highlight differences in experiences among young adult men and women based on their migrant and marital status at the individual, interpersonal and normative levels. Future efforts to promote FP should engage existing social support systems and cultivate new ones in response to barriers.

Keywords:

• contraception
• urban young adults
• rural-to-urban migration
• Tanzania
• theory of planned behaviour

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by travel awards from the UNC Centre for Global Initiatives and the UNC Gillings School of Public Health and the Carolina Population Centre. The contents of this article are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of UNC. An earlier version of this article was presented as an oral presentation at the Population Association of America Conference in Washington, DC, in March 2011. The authors would like to thank Hubert Kairuki Memorial University, Tanzania; FHI360, Tanzania; and Mrs. Qudsiyeh Roy for their assistance in conducting the survey in Dar es Salaam.