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Religious leaders gain ground in the Jordanian family‐planning movement
Author(s) -
Underwood Carol,
Kamhawi Sarah,
Nofal Ahmad
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2013.07.006
Subject(s) - cronbach's alpha , family planning , medicine , islam , educational attainment , family medicine , welfare , clinical psychology , population , environmental health , psychometrics , economic growth , theology , philosophy , political science , law , economics , research methodology
Objective To assess the effect of a training program designed to enhance the role of Muslim religious leaders (RLs) in promoting family welfare, including reproductive health generally and family planning more specifically. Methods A panel study design was utilized; 136 and 115 RLs completed the self‐administered questionnaires at baseline (pre‐training) and endline (6 months post‐training), respectively. Scales were generated to assess RLs' knowledge of the number of family‐planning methods deemed to be acceptable according to Islamic teachings (9 methods, Cronbach α = 0.85), attitudes toward family planning (7 statements, Cronbach α = 0.67), and preaching and/or counseling on family‐planning topics (7 topics, Cronbach α = 0.85). Results Linear regressions controlling for sex, age, and educational attainment showed that, on average, RLs cited more methods deemed acceptable according to Islamic teachings (β = 1.381; P < 0.001), expressed more positive attitudes toward family planning (β = 0.514; P < 0.05), and preached and/or counseled on family‐planning topics more frequently at endline compared with baseline (β = 0.965; P < 0.01). Conclusion Culturally appropriate training for RLs can lead to a deeper understanding of, and appreciation for, reproductive health and family planning, with the effects manifesting as increased preaching and/or counseling about these important topics.