Couples as innovators in Sub-Saharan Africa.

This paper uses several methods to analyze Niger couple data in order to identify innovators and the most appropriate methodology. The study demonstrates that results may vary depending upon the sample selected. The paper is unique in that it examines the idea of couples as demographic and contraceptive innovators. Demographic innovators are persons with below-average fertility desires in a specific socioeconomic setting. Contraceptive innovators are persons who adopt modern family planning in a setting where contraceptive use is rare and family planning effort is minimal. Data were obtained from a sample of 1742 Muslim matched husbands and wives from the 1992 Niger Demographic and Health Survey. The first sample included only couples in monogamous unions. The second sample included couples in monogamous unions and men in polygynous unions matched with a random wife. The third sample included couples in monogamous unions and men in polygynous unions matched with each of their wives. Maximum likelihood statistical techniques that assume independent observations were used with the first two samples. Generalized estimating equations similar to an algorithm developed by Qaqish and El-Moalem were used with the third sample which has binary observations. Findings indicate that monogamous couples from urban areas or couples with one educated spouse were more likely to agree that discussion of family planning took place. Findings from the second sample indicate that couples with an employed wife were more likely to agree that family planning was discussed. Findings from the third sample indicate that couples in polygynous unions were less likely to agree that discussion took place. Couples who were more modern were more likely to discuss family planning. Analysis of intention to use contraception also showed differences in significance of variables depending upon the nature of the sample.