Social attitudes of Filipinos towards family planning interest groups

People Count. 1992 Aug;2(7):1-3.

Abstract

PIP: Some results are provided from the 1991 Social Weather Survey conducted in 1991 for the Legislators' Committee on Population and Development. The sample included both males and females (84% Roman Catholic, 7% other indigenous Christians, 7% Protestants, 1.2% Muslims, 0.2% without a religion, and 0.1% Buddhists). Surprising findings are that the public does not feel restricted from using family planning methods due to religious rules, schooling teachings, or a physician's advice. Most people hold that politicians generally support family planning. Only 19% are reported to believe that governors are against family planning, and 16% report that their mayors are against family planning. According to stated voting intentions, incumbent government officials perceived to be anti-family planning risk not being reelected. 96% of the survey respondents believe that it is important to have control over one's fertility. Awareness of family planning methods is directly related to socioeconomic class, education, and urban location. 21% say that their religion forbids tubal ligation and 26% say that ligation should never be practiced. 22% say that their religion allows ligation. Among people who believe that religion bans ligation, 10% approve of ligation at any time and 44% stipulate that there are times when it may be practiced. Another interesting finding was that school teaching had more influence on beliefs than religion. When schools said that rhythm was not allowed, 40% agreed. When religion taught that rhythm was not allowed, only 21% agreed. 9% of persons who were sectarian educated and 5% among non-sectarian educated persons believed that ligation should not be practiced.

MeSH terms

  • Administrative Personnel
  • Asia
  • Asia, Southeastern
  • Attitude
  • Behavior
  • Data Collection
  • Developing Countries
  • Family Planning Services*
  • Government*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Organization and Administration
  • Philippines
  • Politics
  • Psychology
  • Public Opinion*
  • Research
  • Sampling Studies