Description

FPEVUSE (V302) is a constructed variable that reports whether the woman had ever used a family planning method and, if so, whether she had used a modern contraceptive method or only a traditional or folkloric method.

In the DHS, modern methods are pill, IUD, injections, diaphragm, condom, female sterilization, male sterilization, implants, female condom, foam/jelly, lactational amenorrhea, and emergency contraception. Traditional methods are periodic abstinence (rhythm), withdrawal, and abstinence. Folkloric methods are the category "other" and country-specific methods (such as herbs or amulet), which vary across samples.

Comparability

Along with universe differences, response categories vary in FPEVUSE (V302), which limits the variable's comparability. Initially, only three responses were recorded: never used, used only traditional method, and used modern method. Beginning in the 1990s, FPEVUSE distinguishes between "traditional" and "folkloric" methods. (See the Description tab for the methods included in each of these groups.)

To maximize comparability, IPUMS-DHS uses composite coding for FPEVUSE. Use of "traditional" and "folkloric" methods are coded with a first digit of "1," while the second digit distinguishes between "used only traditional methods" (code "11") and "used only folkloric methods" (code "12"), when such detail is available.

Samples may include country-specific methods, but these are captured in one of the three categories of FPEVUSE and should not affect meaning of the response categories.

Comparability - Standard DHS

FPEVUSE (V302) is included in the standard DHS questionnaire for all Phases. The response category for use of folkloric methods was added to FPEVUSE in Phase 2. Methods coded as "folkloric" may have been previously coded as "traditional methods" in Phase 1, which slightly changes the meaning of response categories and affects the comparability of Phase 1 samples to later Phases.

For Phase 4 forward, information was collected on additional forms of contraception (female condom, foam/jelly, and lactational amenorrhea), but this should not affect the meaning or comparability of FPEVUSE, as it is a recoded variable.

Universe