TABLE 1.

Independent Variables for Modeling Women's Uptake of Modern Contraceptive Methods in Selected Nigerian States

VariablesOperational Definitions
Exposure to family planning messageSelf-reported exposure to family planning message from religious leaders, categorized as “0” had no exposure or “1” had exposure. This variable was derived from the question: “In the past year, have you heard or seen a religious leader speaking publicly in favour of family planning/child birth spacing?”
Age of respondentSelf-reported age of respondent at time of survey, categorized as: 15–24, 25–34, 35+
ReligionRespondents' religions: Catholic, Other Christian, Muslim
ParityNumber of children ever born: 0, 1–2, 3–4, 5+
EducationHighest level of education attained: none, primary, secondary, post-secondary
State of residenceCurrent state of residence: Federal Capital Territory, Kwara, Kaduna, Oyo
Ethnic affiliationRespondents' ethnic affiliation: Hausa/Fulani, Igbo, Yoruba, other
Current marital statusMarital status at time of survey: married/cohabiting, never married, previously married
Wealth indexComposite index of household items/amenities, electrical appliances, toilet facility, drinking water, and floor/wall materials grouped into a quintile: (1) poorest, (2) poorer, (3) middle, (4) richer, (5) richest
Fertility desireRespondents' desire to have another child: (1) want another child, (2) does not want another child
Need anyone's permission to use family planningRespondent's need for someone's permission before use of family planning, categorized as: (1) Yes, permission of someone needed, (2) No, permission not needed. This variable captures a situation where a woman requires the permission of her husband/partner, mother-in-law, or someone else, before she can use a family planning method
Perceived self-efficacyPerceived self-efficacy about family planning, generated as a composite score variable from responses to Likert-scale questions on women's level of agreement with the ideation statements. These were categorized into a tertile as: (1) low, (2) medium, (3) high; Cronbach's alpha was 0.89
Acceptance of myths and misconceptions about contraceptivesAcceptance of myths and misconceptions about contraceptives, generated as a composite score variable from responses to Likert-scale questions on women's level of agreement with the ideation statements. These were categorized into a tertile as: (1) low, (2) medium, (3) high. Cronbach's alpha was 0.89
Other NURHI interventionsOther NURHI interventions numbering 27. An overall index, i.e., composite scores, was generated to reflect the extent of exposures that respondents had to the various activities. The composite variable was categorized into a tertile as: (1) low exposure, (2) medium exposure, (3) high exposure. Cronbach's alpha for the 27-item additive index was 0.90
  • Abbreviation: NURHI, Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative.