Description

FPTYPPLT reports whether the use of medicinal plants or herbs is considered to be a modern method, a traditional method, or a folkloric method of family planning in a given sample.

In the standard DHS recode manuals, modern methods are the 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. In some cases, however, there are exceptions to this organization; see Comparability.

Additionally, while FPTYPPLT and the other "FPTYP" variables report whether a specific method is considered to be modern, traditional, or folkloric method in a given sample, IPUMS-DHS users may be interested in the complementary variable FPTYPNOW (V313), which indicates whether the woman's current contraceptive method is modern, traditional, or folkloric.

Comparability

Apart from slight differences in how this contraceptive method was labelled, FPTYPPLT is largely comparable across samples. All samples categorized the use of medicinal plants/herbs as a folkloric method.

Moreover, some samples did not specifically ask about the use of plants/herbs, but respondents could volunteer this method when asked about "any other methods."

Comparability - Standard DHS

Although standard variables that report whether a given contraceptive method is considered to be a modern method, a traditional method, or a folkloric method are included in Phase II forward of the standard DHS questionnaire, FPTYPPLT is a country-specific response category that in not included in any of the standard DHS modules.

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