An Assessment Of Fertility Preference By Work Status Among Women In Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This study examines the assessment of fertility preference by work status among women in Nigeria using data obtained from the National Demographic and Health Survey from 2013. The adopted design is an exploratory research design which is aimed to provide in-depth investigation into the research problem and provide solutions to some research questions. The study was conducted among married women in their reproductive ages, 15-49 years of age in Nigeria. The sample size will be 33,385 women aged 15-49 years; the sample design for this study is nationally representative and covered the entire women population residing in non institutional dwelling units in the country. This study was carried out using stata 14.0. The independent and dependent variables were compared at three levels, univariate using percentages, bivariate using cross tabulation and chi-square and multivariate using binary logistic regression. From the chi-square test, the relationship between fertility preference which is the dependent variable, and the independent variable which is women work status is statistically significant, we can then conclude that there is a significant relationship between women work status and fertility preference. Therefore, we reject the null hypothesis and accept the alternative hypothesis. This study also revealed that the relationship between women wealth index and fertility preference is statistically significant, we can conclude that there is a significant relationship between women wealth index and fertility preference. Therefore, we reject the null and accept the alternate hypothesis. The binary logistic regression result also shows that there is a significant influence of women work status on fertility preference in Nigeria. The study therefore recommends that government should teach the importance of empowering women folks in relation to national building and transformation towards ensuring equal right and sustainable development of the country by engaging more women in labour activities. Programs should be organized and included in government policies to improve the wellbeing and welfare of women not only in northern region, but also to the nation at large for it will indirectly influence the fertility preference of women in Nigeria. In conclusion, women work status should be top priorities in all policy formulations and design in government and private sectors so as to influence fertility preference in Nigeria.

Keywords: Fertility preference, work status, Nigeria.