Socio-economic and Demographic Determinants of Household Fertility Decisions A Secondary Analysis of the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey

Main Article Content

Endurance Uzobo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8180-8268

Keywords

Age at first marriage, children ever born, contraception, family system, wealth index

Abstract

This study investigates the socio-economic and demographic determinants of household fertility decisions in Nigeria. Using the family system model as framework, a cross-sectional survey design in a retrospective study was adopted. Quantitative data were purposively gotten from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) household recode dataset.  Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Logistic Regressions at P<0.05. The mean age at first birth of respondents was 18.8±4.0 years. The mean of Children ever-born was 5.9±2.8. The Children ever-born was highest in the North West region (36.7%), while the South East had the least (12.6%) sum of Children ever-born in the six regions. The relationship between children ever-born and the age at first birth is statistically significant (χ2= 8334.4, p=<0.001). Women with all living are 2.0 times (OR=2.071, CI=1.987-2.158) more likely to increase their Children ever-born than women who have experienced the loss of a child. Women who have no formal education are 5.8 times (OR=5.835, CI=5.504-6.186) more likely to increase their Children ever-born than women with tertiary education. Women who do not utilize contraception in any way and those who used the folkloric method were respectively 0.8 times and 5.5 times more likely to increase their children ever-born than women using modern contraceptives respectively. Based on the findings, it is recommended that fertility controls must be prioritized, specifically by encouraging girl child education across the nation.

Abstract 125 | PDF Downloads 88

References

Adebowale, A.S. (2019). Ethnic disparities in fertility and its determinants in Nigeria. Fertility research and practice. 5(3). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40738-019-0055-y
Adebowale, A.S., Gbadebo, B., & Afolabi, F.R. (2016). Wealth index, empowerment and modern contraceptive use among married women in Nigeria: Are they interrelated? Journal of Public Health. 24(5), 415-426. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-016-0738-3
Adhikari, R. (2010). Demographic, socio-economic, and cultural factors affecting fertility differentials in Nepal. BMC pregnancy and childbirth. 10(19). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-10-19
Akpa, O.M. & Ikpotokin, O. (2012). Modeling the determinants of fertility among women of childbearing age in Nigeria: Analysis using generalized linear modelling approach. International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences. 2(18), 167-176.
Amaegberi, M.A. & Uzobo, E. (2021). Women’s socio-economic autonomy and fertility behaviour: Evidence from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018. Social Science Research. 7(2), 59-75.
Askew, I., Maggwa, N., & Obare, F. (2017). Fertility transitions in Ghana and Kenya: Trends, determinants, and implications for policy and programs. Population and Development Review. 43, 289-307. https://doi.org/10.1111/padr.12010
Ayo, A.S., Adeniyi, F.F., & Ayodeji, A.M. (2016). Regional differences in adolescent childbearing in Nigeria. Journal of Population and Social Studies [JPSS]. 24(2), 101-116.
Baizan, P. (2001). Transition to adulthood in Spain. In M. Corijn & E. Klijzing (Eds.). Transition to adulthood in Europe (279-312). Dordrecht: Kluwer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9717-3_12
Balbo, N. (2012). Family, friends and fertility. Ph.D. Dissertation. Ridderkerk: Ridderprint.
Billari, F.C., Castiglioni, M., Castro Martin, T., Michielin, F., & Ongaro, F. (2002). Household and union formation in Mediterranean fashion: Italy and Spain. In E. Klijzing & M. Corijn (Eds.). Dynamics of fertility and partnership in Europe: Insights and lessons from comparative research. Volume 2. (17-41). New York, NY: United Nations.
Bongaarts, J. (2020). Trends in fertility and fertility preferences in sub-Saharan Africa: The roles of education and family planning programs. Bongaarts Genus. 76(32). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41118-020-00098-z
Bongaarts, J. & Casterline, J. (2013). Fertility transition: Is sub-Saharan Africa different. Population and Development Review. 38(Supplementary 1), 153-168. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1728-4457.2013.00557.x
Burnet, J.E. (2011). Women have found respect: Gender quotas, symbolic representation, and female empowerment in Rwanda. Politics & Gender. 7(3), 303-334. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1743923X11000250
Caldwell, J.C. & Caldwell, C.P. (2002). Family planning programs in the twenty-first century. Studies in Family Planning. 33(1), 76-86. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1728-4465.2002.00076.x
Casterline, J.B. (2017). Prospects for fertility decline in Africa. Population and Development Review. 43, 3-18. https://doi.org/10.1111/padr.12055
Central Bureau of Statistics. (2003). Population monograph of Nepal. Kathmandu: Central Bureau of Statistics.
Ghodsee, K. & Bernardi, L. (2012). Starting a family at your parents’ house: Multigenerational households and below replacement fertility in urban Bulgaria. Journal of Comparative Family Studies. 43(3), 439-459. https://doi.org/10.3138/jcfs.43.3.439
Granovetter, M. (2005). The impact of social structure on economic outcomes. Journal of Economic Perspectives. 19(1), 33-50. https://doi.org/10.1257/0895330053147958
Hollinger, F. & Haller, M. (1990). Kinship and social networks in modern societies: A cross- cultural comparison among seven nations. European Sociological Review. 6(2), 103-124. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.esr.a036553
Ibeji, J.U., Zewotir, T., North, D., & Amusa, L. (2020). Modelling fertility levels in Nigeria using generalized poisson regression-based approach. Scientific African. 9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2020.e00494
Ingiabuna, E.T. & Uzobo, E. (2016). Population and development in Nigeria: An assessment of the national policy on population and sustainable development. International Journal of Development and Management Review (INJODEMAR). 11(1), 80-102.
Kenyatta, G.N. (2023). The political participation of women in Kenya. Journal of International Women’s Studies. 25(2), Article 5.
Kriel, Y., Milford, C., Cordero, J.P., Suleman, F., Steyn, P.S., & Smit, J.A. (2023). Access to public sector family planning services and modern contraceptive methods in South Africa: A qualitative evaluation from community and health care provider perspectives. PloS one. 18(3). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282996
Livi-Bacci, M. (2001). Too few children and too much family. Daedalus. 130(3), 139-155.
Lorimer, F. (1954). Culture and human fertility. Zurich: Unesco.
Mberu, B.U. & Reed, H.E. (2014). Understanding subgroup fertility differentials in Nigeria. Population Review. 53(2), 23. https://doi.org/10.1353/prv.2014.a553278
Mishra, V. & Smyth, R. (2010). Female labour force participation and total fertility rates in the OECD: New evidence from panel co-integration and granger causality testing. Journal of Economics and Business. 62(1), 48-64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeconbus.2009.07.006
Mönkediek, B., & Bras, H. (2017). Family systems and fertility intentions: Exploring the pathways of influence. European Journal of Population. 34(1), 33-57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10680-017-9418-4
National Population Commission (2004). National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS). Abuja: National Planning Commission
Ndahindwa, V., Kamanzi, C., Semakula, M., Abalikumwe, F., Hedt-Gauthier, B., & Thomson, D.R. (2014). Determinants of fertility in Rwanda in the context of a fertility transition: A secondary analysis of the 2010 Demographic and Health Survey. Reproductive Health. 11, 87. https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-4755-11-87
Newson, L. (2009). Cultural versus reproductive success: Why does economic development bring new tradeoffs? American Journal of Human Biology. 21, 464-471. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.20925
Nibaruta, J.C., Elkhoudri, N., Chahboune, M., Chebabe, M., Elmadani, S., Baali, A., & Amor, H. (2021). Determinants of fertility differentials in Burundi: Evidence from the 2016-17 Burundi Demographic and Health Survey. Pan African Medical Journal. 38(316). https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2021.38.316.27649
Obiyan, M.O., Akinlo, A., & Ogunjuyigbe, P.O. (2019). Maternal socioeconomic status and fertility behaviour in Nigeria: Evidence from a cross-sectional nationally representative survey. European Scientific Journal. 15(31), 207-222. https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2019.v15n31p207
Odior, E.S.O. & Alenoghena, R.O. (2018). Socioeconomic factors that determine fertility pathway in relation to sustainable development in Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa. 20(2), 87-102.
Okezie, C., Ogbe, A., & Okezie, C. (2010). Socio-economic determinants of contraceptive use among rural women in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. International NGO Journal. 5(4), 74-77.
Olatoregun, O., Fagbamigbe, A.F., Akinyemi, O.J., Oyindamola, B., & Bamgboye, E.A. (2014). A comparative analysis of fertility differentials in Ghana and Nigeria. African Journal of Reproductive Health. 18(3), 36-47.
Patidar, H. (2018). Women’s empowerment and fertility behaviour among the tribals of Rajasthan, India. Space and Culture. 5(3), 129-139. https://doi.org/10.20896/saci.v5i3.285
Porter, M. & King, E.M. (2012). Fertility and women’s labour force participation in developing countries. Retrieved from Pop/PoV Reaserch Network Conference, Cape Town, South Africa.
Reher, D.S. (1998). Family ties in western Europe: Persistent contrasts. Population and Development Review. 24(2), 203-234. https://doi.org/10.2307/2807972
Romero, A. J., & Ruiz, M. (2007). Does familism lead to increased parental monitoring? Protective factors for coping with risky behaviors. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 16(2), 143–154. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-006-9074-5.
Rossi, A.S. & Rossi, P.H. (1990). Of human bonding: Parent–child relations across the life course. New York, NY: de Gruyter.
Sachs, J.D. (2012). From Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals. The Lancet. 379(9832), 2206-2211. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60685-0
Salami, I.C. & Oladosu, M. (2016). Socio-demographic factors, contraceptive use and fertility preference among married women in South-South region of Nigeria. 3rd International Conference on African Development Issues, Covenant University Press.
Skinner, G.W. (1997). Family systems and demographic processes. In D.I. Kertzer & T.E. Fricke (Eds.). Anthropological demography. Toward a new synthesis (53-95). Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press.
Soetan, R.O. & Obiyan, M.O. (2019). Socioeconomic differentials in employment status and involvement in household decision-making among ever-married women in Nigeria. Frontiers in Sociology. 4, 49. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2019.00049
Solanke, B.L. (2015). Marriage age, fertility behaviour, and women’s empowerment in Nigeria. Sage Open. 5(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244015617989
Starbird, E., Norton, M., & Marcus, R. (2016). Investing in family planning: Key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Global Health: Science and Practice. 4(2), 191-210. https://doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-15-00374
Therborn, G. (2004). Between sex and power. Family in the world, 1900–2000. London: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203643297
United Nations Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects: 2019 Revision.
United Nations Statistics Division. (2021). Sustainable Development Goals indicators. https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/metadata/ Accessed July 11, 2023.
Upadhyay, H.P. & Bhandari, K.R. (2017). Factors associated with children ever born: A case study of Somadi Village Development Committee of Palpa District, Nepal. Advanced Journal of Social Sciences. 1(1), 15-29. https://doi.org/10.21467/ajss.1.1.15-29
Uzobo, E. & Ayinmoro, A.D. (2021). Regional differences in postnatal care service utilisation and child morbidity in Nigeria: Evidence from 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). Current Research Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities. 4(1), 68-81. https://doi.org/10.12944/CRJSSH.4.1.07
Uzobo, E. & Moroyei, B.O. (2022). Social networks correlate to fertility intentions and realization among menopausal women in suburban areas of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. African Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Research. 5(2), 119-130. https://doi.org/10.52589/AJSSHR-MHSZFTZM
Williams, J., Ibisomi, L., Sartorius, B., Kahn, K., Collinson, M., Tollman, S., & Garenne, M. (2013). Convergence in fertility of South Africans and Mozambicans in rural South Africa, 1993-2009. Global Health Action. 6. https://doi.org/10.3402/gha.v6i0.19236
Worldometers. (2024). Nigeria Population (Live). https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/nigeria-population/. Accessed June 9, 2024.