Sub-ethnic variations in breastfeeding, marital sexuality, and fertility in Yorubaland.

The research note capsules an examination of 500 women of reproductive age in each of the 5 largest subgroups of Yoruba in Nigeria by means of self-administered questionnaires and in-depth interviews with selected families between 1963 and 1986. The research objective was to ascertain marital sexual strategies cultural practices child rearing beliefs and attitudes in order to explain similarities and differences in fertility levels. It was hoped that the information would suggest alternatives which would encourage smaller family size and simultaneously show sensitivity to prevailing beliefs and behaviors. The findings were that urban and rural populations showed the greatest differences in attitudes and behavior. An example is given of the Ekiti-Yoruba who reflect modernization education and urban influences of reduced breastfeeding and limited post-partum abstinence while rural populations maintain the practice of observing lactational taboos of postpartum abstinence. Between ethnic groups there were also wide differences in breastfeeding patterns and postpartum abstinence. Marital sexuality and child spacing practices also were different. The consequences of sexual taboos are perceived differently by spouses particularly when the female is involved in independent economic activity. One implication is that cultural practices still determine the limits to sexual activity within marriage and family planning rather than just the promotion of another pregnancy. Consequently an approach to fertility reduction would be more effective if family size reduction is stressed initially rather than offers of contraceptives which can be offered later.