Direct and Indirect Effects of Communication Interventions: Gender Constructs and Modern Contraceptive Use

• In Event: Formative, Process, and Outcome Evaluation Research for Health Communication Campaigns

Abstract

Background: This study sought to explore whether communication programs had direct and indirect effects on contraceptive use.

Data: Endline survey data collected to evaluate communication programs designed to influence contraceptive use in India (N=9,624), Malawi (N=2,205), and Nigeria (N=6,539) were analyzed.

Results: Multivariate analysis found positive associations between the campaigns and FP use as well as the campaigns and gender constructs in India and Nigeria, but not in Malawi. Analysis also found that gender empowerment mediated the relationship between message exposure and contraceptive use in Nigeria.

Conclusions: Analyses of three family planning communication programs explored the interplay among intervention exposure, gender equity and contraceptive use. While exposure was associated with contraceptive use, it was not strongly associated with inclusive gender equitable views. Findings suggest that family planning interventions are not inherently gender transformative, pointing to the need for communication programs that purposively address both contraceptive use and gender equity.

Authors

• Carol R. Underwood, Johns Hopkins U

• Anna Leddy, Johns Hopkins U

• Zoé Hendrickson, Johns Hopkins U