Contraceptive Dynamics in Rural Northern Malawi: A Prospective Longitudinal Study
Malawi has put in considerable effort, and achieved remarkable success, in increasing the use of modern contraceptives. Among women of reproductive age and their partners use of modern contraceptives has increased from 7% in 1990 to 42% in 2010. Yet, this increase in prevalence of use has not translated into a commensurate reduction in fertility. The total fertility rate in Malawi fell from 6.7 births per woman to 5.7 in the same time period –a TFR similar to countries like Mozambique and Tanzania where use of modern contraceptives in considerably lower.
Aisha Nandini, Zoe Dasgupta, Basia Zaba, and Amelia C. Crampin use a prospective longitudinal study in rural northern Malawi to investigate the disconnect and to consider whether modern contraceptive prevalence rate is the best indicator of program performance.