Exploring Multiple Dimensions of Young Women’s Fertility Preferences in Malawi

Abstract

Introduction-Standard survey measures of fertility preferences, such as the desire for and preferred timing of future births, do not capture the complexity of individuals' preferences. New research focuses on additional dimensions of emotions and expectations surrounding childbearing. Few quantitative studies, however, consider the influence of all three dimensions of fertility preferences concurrently. Methods-Using longitudinal survey data from the Tsogolo la Thanzi project (2009-2012) in Malawi, this study employed logistic regression analysis to investigate the influence of young women's emotions, expectations, and a standard measure of fertility preferences on pregnancy and modern contraceptive use. Results-Young women experienced high unmet need; across survey waves, over three-quarters of women who desired a child in more than two years were not currently using modern contraceptives and over three-quarters of women who thought a pregnancy in the next month would be bad news (garnered from a measure of emotions surrounding pregnancy) were not currently using modern contraceptives. In regression models including all three measures of fertility preferences, each was significantly associated with the likelihood of a future pregnancy. The standard measure and emotions measure were significantly associated with modern contraceptive use. Discussion-Emotions and expectations surrounding pregnancy and childbirth appear to be distinct and salient aspects of fertility preferences in addition to the standard measure. A better understanding of the multidimensional nature of fertility preferences will help individuals define and achieve their reproductive goals and obtain appropriate services. Furthermore, future research should incorporate new measures of fertility preferences into surveys internationally.

Self-reported fertility impairments and help-seeking strategies among young women in Malawi

“…Building on previous evidence from SSA on important predictors of fertility behaviours, access to reproductive health care, and social pressure to conceive ( Barden-O’Fallon, 2005a ; Fledderjohann, 2017 ; Gerrits, 2012 ; Gibby & Luke, 2019 ; Grant, 2015 ; Grant & Furstenberg, 2007 ; Rouchou, 2013 ; Smith-Greenaway, 2016 ; Sundby, 2002 ), the key sociodemographic characteristics examined in this study include age in years, number of years of schooling completed, household wealth, total number of living children, and belief that children just happen. Due to the small sample sizes limiting statistical power, variables were coded as continuous for age, education, and parity.…”

Infertility, Perceived Certainty of Pregnancy, and Contraceptive Use in Malawi

“…Should a divorce occur, one's fertility regains importance to solidify a new relationship (Reniers 2003). Even within a single partnership, pregnancy intentions and desired family size can change frequently (Yeatman and Sennott 2015;Yeatman, Sennott, and Culpepper 2013;Gibby and Luke 2019).…”

The Enduring Case for Fertility Desires

“…A series of recent studies specifically assessed the predictive validity of fertility desires in sub-Saharan Africa. Many found that women who report wanting more children are more likely to have additional children than are women who report a desire to stop childbearing (Gibby and Luke 2019;Hayford and Agadjanian 2012;Kodzi et al 2010;Machiyama et al 2015Machiyama et al , 2019Speizer and Lance 2015). Yet a 2019 systematic review of timing desires found inconsistent results.…”