The contribution of contraception, marriage and postpartum insusceptibility to fertility levels in Uganda: an application of the aggregate fertility model

Abstract

BackgroundWhile recent studies have indicated that fertility has remained high in Uganda, no systematic attempt has been made to identify the factors responsible for this persistent trend and to quantify these factors. This paper uses the Uganda Demographic and Health Surveys (UDHS) of 2006 and 2011, to examine the contribution contraceptive use, marriage and postpartum infecundability on one hand and Total Fertility Rate (TFR) on the other.We constructed a database using the Woman’s Questionnaire from the UDHS 2006 and 2011. We then apply Bongaarts aggregate fertility model procedures to derive estimates of total fertility rate for the different socioeconomic groups.ResultsThe findings indicate that a woman’s contraceptive behavior; marriage status and postpartum infecundability (also referred to as postpartum insusceptibility due to postpartum amenorrhea, which is intended to measure the effects on fertility breastfeeding), are important predictors of fertility outcomes. The results also show that higher education levels and urban residence are consistently associated with lower fertility rates and are positively associated with contraceptive use. Other key predictors of fertility include: wealth status, and region of residence.ConclusionThe country needs to scale-up target interventions that are aimed at uplifting the education status of women and improving their economic wellbeing, because such interventions have a positive impact on fertility reduction and on improving maternal and reproductive health outcomes.

Impact of Proximate Determinants on Fertility Transition Behind the Socio-demographic Factors in Bangladesh: A Hierarchical Approach from the National Survey

“…This outcome is consistent with the study of sub-Saharan Africa and Uganda in some respects, and the fertility rate is lower in urban areas. 10,15 Women from rich households had more children than poor women. There was no significant effect of wealth index on women's fertility.…”

“…19 This finding is not compatible with those of prior studies. 15,18 Women who dwell in rich families have approximately twice as few children as those living in proletarian households. 7 Women residing in proletarian households have higher fertility rates and less contraceptive usage smaller than women from affluent households.…”

“…This result is in agreement with prior studies conducted in Bangladesh. 18,31 Various study audits by researchers 15,16,[21][22][23] have revealed that having children is negatively correlated with the educational strata of women. Less educated women have more children spaced closely together, in contrast to highly educated women.…”

“…Several researchers have argued that fertility variation occurs because of residence, education, and the economic status of women. 11,[13][14][15] Fluctuations in fertility are exceedingly and indirectly dependent upon the educational status of women. A researcher 16 showed that most literate women have a continuously lower fertility rate.…”

Determinants of Change in Fertility among Women in Rural Areas of Uganda

“…In urban areas, the TFR has had a less consistent pattern, fluctuating around 4.0 [15]. Decomposition studies have quantified the contribution of women's social, economic, and demographic characteristics on fertility levels [21][22][23]. However, studies have not focused on sub groups.…”