SOCIOECONOMIC-STATUS AND USE OF FAMILY-PLANNING AMONG GHANAIAN GOVERNMENT WORKERS

The low utilization of family planning methods in Ghana, and by infere nce in much of Africa, is explained by reference to traditional socioc ultural values held by males. A LISREL model is tested using data coll ected from educated males working in the Ghanaian government. Among th e findings are that lack of couple communication, segregated conjugal role relationships, and male-dominated decision-making are all signifi cant predictors of non-use of family planning methods (pronatalist att itude is not). Possession of knowledge of family planning among Ghanai an males alone is unlikely to initiate use of family planning methods. Additional sociodemographic and modernization findings are reported.