Sex preference as a determinant of contraceptive use in matrilineal societies: a study on the Garo of Bangladesh.
OBJECTIVE
This paper explores the presence of sex preference and its influence on contraceptive use among the Garo, a matrilineal community, of Bangladesh.


METHODS
In this study, 223 currently married Garo women were interviewed, selected purposively from two districts of Bangladesh, where most of the Garo people live. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to explore the determinants of current use of contraceptives among the Garo community.


RESULTS
About 80% of the Garo women were currently using contraceptive methods, which was much higher than the contraceptive prevalence at the national level (55.8%). However, the use of modern male methods was very low in that community. Regression analysis revealed that the strong preference for girls was a significant determinant of contraceptive use.


CONCLUSIONS
Even though the Garo apply contraception more than the Bangladeshi community in general, their strong preference for girls may restrain its success. Family planning information can be designed so as not to challenge the matrilineal structure of the society and both spouses counselled together to promote also modern male methods.
Islam
Mohammad Amirul
MA
Southampton Statistical Sciences Research Institute, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. M.A.Islam@soton.ac.uk
Islam
M Rakibul
MR
Banowary
Banya
B
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D001459:Bangladesh / Q000453:epidemiology; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000208:ethnology*; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008393:Marriage / Q000208:ethnology; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016387:Women's Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D055815:Young Adult