The decision to use contaception: the case of the Philippines
Date
2011-03
Authors
Castro, Katherine Celine
Evardone, Philip III C.
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Abstract
This paper seeks to expand the literature that explores the relationship of religion and contraception in the Philippines by taking into account socioeconomic factors and examining the effect thereof to this relationship. Method. This paper examines two hypotheses. First is the 'theology' hypothesis, which states that the sheer theological content of religion yields a significant effect on peoples' decision to use contraception- we examine this using a logistic regression model with the current use of contraceptives of non-pregnant women as the dependent variable and religion as the independent variable. The second is the 'characteristics' hypothesis, which attributes the religious differentials in current contraceptive use to the sample's socio- economic and demographic characteristics- we examine this using two models- (l)a logistic regression model with the current use of contraceptives of non-pregnant women as the dependent. variable and religion and socioeconomic variables as independent variables and (2) a similar model that includes the interaction of religion and key socioeconomic variables. Results. Being a member of religious groups that do not permit contraception, such as Roman Catholicism and Islam, has a significant effect on the use of contraception. However, when socio-economic variables are controlled, this relationship becomes less significant. The results of the third model show that the effect of religion on contraception is not contingent on socioeconomic factors. Conclusion. Religion barely affects the use of contraception. Socioeconomic factors impose a much significant effect on contraceptive use.
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Keywords
contraception, religion, socioeconomic, logistic regression