The Control of Human Fertility in Jamaica

Abstract

This classic study of the early use of birth control in Jamaica was based on interviews conducted in 1956 with 1359 lower class women aged 14-40 who were currently in unions. 440 interviews were carried out in Kingston 215 in towns and 704 in rural areas. The questionnaires covered background demographic information on the respondents attitudes toward family size marital factors birth control fertility history and some control questions. The average respondent was 28 years old with 3.3 pregnancies and 2.5 living children. 29% were married 44% had common-law husbands and the remainder had regular sexual relations but did not reside with their partners. The average respondent had her 1st sexual union at age 16-17 but 1/4 started at 14. About 1/4 were working for pay and another 1/3 had done so in the past year. Close to 40% were in domestic work. 85% of the respondents mates were employed. Respondents on average had reached the 4th standard in elementary school. The analysis considered 3 problems: fertility control the influence of fertility on factors other than fertility control and an experimental program for fertility control. The analysis of fertility control focused on the degree of readiness of the population for contraception considering attitudes toward family size knowledge of birth control and attitudes toward birth control. Each aspect of fertility control was examined in relation to such demographic variables and to the other aspects. The analysis of differential fertility indicated that marital status and residence were the main factors responsible for the considerable variations in fertility levels. The experimental program for fertility control involved examining the degree of change in attitudes related to fertility control produced by pamphlets group meetings and case visits. A general conclusion of the work was that programs promoting the use of contraception are feasible in Jamaica and probably in similar countries.