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The relationships between selected demographic and socioeconomic
variables and current use status of contraception were examined using logistic
regression technique. Information on current contraceptive use was provided by
3156 out of 4488 currently married women aged 15–49 interviewed in the 1988
Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. Respondents' approval of family planning
emerged as the most important predictor of current contraceptive use, followed
by discussion of family planning with partner and level of education. As a
policy measure, information, education and communication programmes on family
planning should be intensified, particularly in rural areas. Female education,
at least up to secondary level, should be given top priority.

SummaryThe relationship is examined of child mortality in Ghana with six socioeconomic factors: mother's type of place of residence, education, occupation and work status, and current husband's education and occupation. Using data from the 1979–80 Ghana Fertility Survey, Trussell's marriage duration model was employed to estimate probabilities of dying at exact ages 2 and 5 in different population subgroups. The two education variables (mother's and husband's education) have the largest effect on child mortality, followed by husband's occupation and mother's occupation, in that order. In order to reduce child mortality to tolerable levels, expansion is urgently required of the medical and health services, balanced by an equal development of education, particularly of girls, help being given especially to the rural areas where the majority of the population live.