Effects of male literacy on family size: A cross sectional study conducted in Chakwal city.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of male education on family size, the desired family size, knowledge and use of contraception and opinion about female education.


METHODS
The cross-sectional study was carried out in Chakwal city, Punjab, Pakistan, from June to October 2009. A pre-tested questionnaire was used for data collection. The respondents were males and data on their demographics, age at marriage, actual and desired family size, knowledge about methods of contraception, and opinion about female education was collected. SPSS 15 was used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
Out of the 178 respondents, 52(29.2%) were illiterate and 126(70.8%) were educated. Among the educated, 97(77%) were in favour of small families compared to only 10(19.2%) of the uneducated males (p< 0.001). Besides, 118 (93.6%) educated males were aware of any method of contraception. The most important source of awareness was television 45(37.8%) followed by lady health visitors 40(33.9%). Among the respondents, 38(21.3%) were not using any contraceptive method because they considered it unIslamic, 16(9.1%) had fear of side effects, 57(32.0%) were desirous of large families, while 67(37.6%) had other reasons, like trying to conceive. Among the uneducated males, 17(32.7%) didn't discuss any family planning issue with their wives compared to 14(11.3%) of educated males (p< 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Educational status of the males had an effect on the desired family size, contraceptive use and views in favour of female education.
Community Medicine, Health Services Academy (HSA), Islamabad.
Humaira
H
Mahmood
Wah Medical College, Wah, Army Medical College (AMC), Rawalpindi.
Ziaullah
Z
Khan
Community Medicine, Army Medical College (AMC), Rawalpindi.
Sumaira
S
Masood
D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003267:Contraception; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007434:Intrauterine Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000067010:Literacy; D008297:Male; D008571:Men; D012252:Natural Family Planning Methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010154:Pakistan; D013246:Sterilization, Tubal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014659:Vasectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal
Male literacy, Family size, Contraception.