Graduation Semester and Year

2011

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work

Department

Social Work

First Advisor

Vijayan K Pillai

Abstract

The objective of this study is to examine the factors that influence contraceptive use in Kenya. More specifically, the study focuses on the determinants of membership in two categories of contraceptive use: modern contraception methods and other contraception methods. Additionally, the study will describe the differences in contraceptive use between 1998 and 2008-2009 and attempt to examine what factors caused and propelled changes. In order to explain the categorical variations, this study uses two theories: modernization theory and human capital theory. In describing changes between 1998 and 2008-2009, this study will examine both individual as well as societal factors related to contraceptive use in Kenya, using Ryder's theory on social change. This study utilizes two data sets from the 1998 Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS) which surveyed a total of 7,881 women, and the 2008-2009 KDHS which surveyed 8,444 women. This study utilizes several data analyses techniques such as descriptive analysis, binary logistic regression, and decomposition analysis. The findings of these analyses will be reported followed by a discussion on the findings. Additionally, this study will address implications for social work practice, policy, research, and education. Moreover, this study will address utilize the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) values and ethics assessments. Lastly, this paper will address the limitations faced, future directions, and a conclusion tying together the entire study. The study results indicate that, women with some education and higher education were found to be more likely to use modern contraceptives than women with no education. Women who live in urban areas are more likely to use modern contraceptives compared to women who live in rural areas. Additionally, women who earn an income are more likely to use modern contraceptives compared to women who do not earn an income. The proposed hypotheses are strongly supported by the chi square associations of the selected determinants on contraceptive use. The hypotheses are also supported by the regression analyses net effects with independent variables only, and net effects with both independent and control variables. Additionally, statistically significant compositional changes addressed by the Phi Coefficient values supported the compositional changes within cohorts of selected variables over the two time periods, 1998 and 2008-2009. Moreover, the effect or processual changes indicated support for the proposed hypotheses showing change in the selected determinants over time across cohorts, between the two time periods, 1998 and 2009. Lastly, the decomposition analysis suggests that all variables contributed to the overall change of selected determinants over the two survey periods 1998 and 2008-2009.

Disciplines

Social and Behavioral Sciences | Social Work

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

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