Female Migration, Local Context and Contraception Use in Urban Mozambique

Abstract

Although there are studies of the influence of rural-urban migration on contraceptive use in Africa, one question poorly explored is how the urban destination context shapes rural-urban migrants’ use of contraceptives. Using data from the 2003 Mozambique Demographic and Health Survey, we examine the effect of community context in urban areas on recent female migrants’ use of modern contraceptives. We find that recent female migrants, particularly newer migrants, have disadvantages in using modern contraceptives. We also find that the context of migrants’ receiving areas in urban areas shapes migrants’ use of contraceptives. Living in a community with high percentage of women who discussed family planning with others, in a community with high level of female education or in a wealthy community has a positive effect on using modern contraceptives. While residing in a community with major transport problems has a negative effect. The study finds, however, that it is the persisting high level of strong fertility desires which is a major barrier to contraceptive use in urban communities. 

Keywords: Female migration, contraception, urban areas, Mozambique.