The impact of the family planning supply environment on contraceptive intentions and use in Morocco

Author(s): Magnani RJ, Hotchkiss DR, Florence CS, Shafer LA

Year: 1999

Abstract:
The extent of organized family planning programs' influence on reproductive preferences remains open to debate. However, most observers grant that such programs play a key role in helping individuals to realize their contraceptive and reproductive intentions. Yet few prior studies have quantified the magnitude of this effect, given existing demand for contraception. This study takes advantage of panel survey data and linked information on the supply environment for family planning services in Morocco in order to bridge this research gap. In the analysis, contraceptive use during the 1992-95 period is related to contraceptive intentions in 1992. Estimation procedures control for unobserved joint determinants of contraceptive intentions and use. Study authors found evidence of a significant enabling or facilitating role of family planning services, and the results also suggest that family planning program factors influence contraceptive intentions in important ways.