title: Post-partum events and fertility control in Kinshasa, Zaïre.
abstract: Contraceptive prevalence surveys from sub-Saharan Africa typically show low rates of method use. The current study of one zone in Kinshasa, Zaïre, provides a more detailed view of fertility control in an urban population by examining the relative duration of breast-feeding, amenorrhoea and sexual abstinence during the post-partum period. While motivations to prevent pregnancy remain high until the youngest child is over 24 months, the average duration of abstinence is only 4 months. This paper describes the methods women use to avoid pregnancy and the changes over the post-partum period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Health Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Bertrand
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chirhamolekwa
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Djunghu
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chibalonza
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mahama
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008598:Menstruation; D008875:Middle Aged; D049590:Postpartum Period; D012746:Sexual Abstinence; D014505:Urban Population