Studies on the association of demographic phenomena and religion have shown that religious institutions and religious identity of individuals can influence in various ways the demographic behavior of followers. This study aimed to identify and analyze possible differences in the fertility behavior and accordance religions among women between 15-49 years old in Brazil, including analyzes from the conversion and the frequency in religious worship and ceremonies. For this data from the National Survey of Demography and Health of Women and Children (...) of 2006 were used. The results suggest that there are differences in fertility rates and types of religions. The same are also observed for those women who were always had the same religion and that changed religion throughout their reproductive period and there are also important differences on the fertility levels and pattern by participation in religious worship and ceremonies. (shrink)

Studies have shown that religion is an important cultural factor that may determine attitudes and behaviors, influencing many demographic variables such as sexuality, marriage, contraception, fertility, abortion, among others. An important variable that can be influenced by religion is the use of contraception, generating patterns differentiated by religious segment. Religion has several mechanisms of influence in the lives of practitioners of a faith, among them the rules, guidelines, sanctions and coercion. This study aims to identify and analyze possible differences in (...) contraceptive use by religions between sexually active women in the Brazil. We used data from the National Survey of Demography and Health of Children and Women 2006 and binomial logistic regression model. The results suggest that Catholic women used more modern contraception especially hormonal options. Already evangelical women used more traditional contraception and sterilization. Thus, although the Catholic Church is against the use of modern contraception, its rules do not seem to influence the contraceptive behavior of faithful. An other inference is that the low frequency on cults may generate little commitment and lead to doctrinal relativism. (shrink)