Modern Contraceptive Use, Sex Refusal and Spousal Difference in Level of Education among Married Women in Nigeria: Are They Interrelated?
Adebowale Ayo Stephen, Palamuleni Martin Enoch

Abstract
Background Difference in spousal education level is an indicator of gendered efficacy of marriage. Researchers have consistently linked spousal education difference, sex refusal and contraceptive use with violence against women and marriage dissolution. This study examines the relationship between these variables which had been barely explored in the literature. Methods The study cross-examined 8,233 and 21,941 married women aged 15-49 and utilized 2008 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey. The dependent variables were Current Use of Modern Contraceptive Method (CMCM) and sex refusal. Chi-square and logistic regression were used for data analysis (α=0.5%). Results Mean age of women was 33.5±9.0 years and about 11% were more educated than their husbands. Women in all the regions in the southern Nigeria were CMCM and can refuse sex than their counterparts in the North. Higher proportions of women who are currently working are CMCM (16.4%) and can refuse sex (66.0%). Women who earn more income than their husbands are CMCM (22.6%) and can refuse sex (72.6%) than those who either earn less or the same income. Wives that were more educated than their husbands were 1.58(C.I=1.284-1.941; p<0.001) and 1.41(C.I=1.268-1.560; p<0.001) more likely to CMCM and can refuse sex respectively than wives whose their husbands were more educated than them. This pattern remains the same when other sociodemographic variables were included in the model. Conclusion Higher CMCM and sex refusal among women, who were more educated, working, earns more than their partners’ points to the importance and need of women empowerment in Nigeria.

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