Women in Uganda face many barriers to accessing contraception, impacting their reproductive autonomy. Almost half of married women of reproductive age in Uganda want to avoid pregnancy, and one-third are undecided. Yet only 38% of them use modern contraception.
Harnessing the influence of women's social networks may help to overcome these barriers and support people to use their desired method. A new study led by Alison Comfort, PhD, Sarah Piombo PhD, and US and Ugandan colleagues collected social network data across 8 villages in Uganda to examine the role of social influence on contraceptive use among partnered, reproductive-age women.
The research team found that social influence within networks plays an important role in explaining contraceptive use. Women are learning from people in their social network about contraceptive methods and tend to adopt the same method that others in their network are already using. The study found that women were 1.25 times more likely to choose contraception methods that were already popular in their networks, and 1.23 times more likely to choose the same contraceptive method other women in their network were already using.
The findings suggest engaging social networks is a promising way to help women learn about different methods and ultimately reach their reproductive intentions, desires, and outcomes.