Document Details | Islamic Precepts and Family Planning: The Perceptions of Jordanian Religious Leaders and Their Const

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Details for Islamic Precepts and Family Planning: The Perceptions of Jordanian Religious Leaders and Their Const
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Name	Islamic Precepts and Family Planning: The Perceptions of Jordanian Religious Leaders and Their Const
Description	This paper explores the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about family planning among Muslim religious leaders in Jordan and how their perceptions differ from the general public. Context: Muslim religious leaders are often viewed as real or potential obstacles to family planning. Research is needed to understand more fully their knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about family planning and how they differ from those held by the general public. Methods: Two nationally representative surveys, one of ١٬٠٠٠ married women aged 15–49 and the other of ١٬٠٠٠ men married to women aged 15–49, and a census of all Muslim religious leaders in Jordan collected information on knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding family planning, and sources of information about it. Results: Eighty percent of men, 86% of women, 82% of male religious leaders and 98% of female religious leaders believe that family planning is in keeping with the tenets of Islam. Among religious leaders, 36% reported that they had preached about family planning in the year preceding the survey. Seventy-five percent of women and 62% of men in the general public said that they had spoken about family planning with their spouse, and 9% and 17%, respectively, reported having spoken with a religious leader. On a scale of 0–10 measuring agreement with statements regarding the benefits of family planning (with 10 being complete agreement), women averaged ٩٫٤ and men ٨٫٨, while male religious leaders averaged ٦٫٥ and female religious leaders ٧٫٢. Among the general public, 74% of women and 58% of men said that deciding to practice contraception is a joint decision between husband and wife. About 90% of religious leaders agreed or agreed strongly with the statement that contraceptive decisions should be made jointly by husband and wife. Women were significantly more likely than men to believe that specific contraceptive methods are permitted under Islam, and male religious leaders were more likely than were men in the general population to find specific methods acceptable. Only 26% of men cited interpersonal communication as a source of family planning information, compared with 66% of women, 73% of male religious leaders and 89% of female religious leaders. Almost threequarters of men and women said they want to know more about family planning. Conclusion: Although Islamic religious leaders in Jordon cite different reasons than the general public to justify the use of contraceptives, they are as likely as others in the population to approve of family planning. Context: Muslim religious leaders are often viewed as real or potential obstacles to family planning. Research is needed to understand more fully their knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about family planning and how they differ from those held by the general public. Methods: Two nationally representative surveys, one of ١٬٠٠٠ married women aged 15–49 and the other of ١٬٠٠٠ men married to women aged 15–49, and a census of all Muslim religious leadersin Jordan collected information on knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding family planning, and sources of information about it. Results: Eighty percent of men, 86% of women, 82% of male religious leaders and 98% of femalereligious leaders believe that family planning is in keeping with the tenets of Islam. Among religious leaders, 36% reported that they had preached about family planning in the year preceding the survey. Seventy-five percent of women and 62% of men in the general public saidthat they had spoken about family planning with their spouse, and 9% and 17%, respectively, reported having spoken with a religious leader. On a scale of 0–10 measuring agreement with statements regarding the benefits of family planning (with 10 being complete agreement), womenaveraged ٩٫٤ and men ٨٫٨, while male religious leaders averaged ٦٫٥ and female religious leaders ٧٫٢. Among the general public, 74% of women and 58% of men said that deciding to practicecontraception is a joint decision between husband and wife. About 90% of religious leaders agreed or agreed strongly with the statement that contraceptive decisions should be made jointly by husband and wife. Women were significantly more likely than men to believe that specific contraceptive methods are permitted under Islam, and male religious leaders were more likely than were men in the general population to find specific methods acceptable. Only 26% of men cited interpersonal communication as a source of family planning information, compared with 66% of women, 73% of male religious leaders and 89% of female religious leaders. Almost three quarters of men and women said they want to know more about family planning. Conclusion: Although Islamic religious leaders in Jordon cite different reasons than the generalpublic to justify the use of contraceptives, they are as likely as others in the population toapprove of family planning.
Tag	JHUCCP, English, article, Carol Underwood, Jordan, Middle East and North Africa, Islam, family planning, religion, contraceptive use, contraceptives
Filename	2611000.pdf
Filesize	٢٢٦٫٦٢ kB
Filetype	pdf (Mime Type: application/pdf)
Creator	christopherlindahl
Created On:	01/15/2010 13:01
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Last updated on	06/20/2011 16:32
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