Family Planning: Theoretical Considerations and African Models.

The rate of adoption of family planning in the developing regions is the central issue in any attempt to anticipate the course of world population growth. Accordingly, a typology is developed to express some of the theoretical possibilities connected with this process. The global distribution of these types is considered briefly. A more detailed analysis is made of the potential for family planning in tropical Africa. The results suggest that a substantial interest in contraception exists throughout the continent. That this interest is not associated generally with effective use is taken as evidence of the transitional character of the population. Prospects for the resolution of this marginality are judged favorable if present motivation is effectively developed by family-planning programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]