Determinants Of Fertility Behaviour Among Women In North-West, Nigeria

ABS1RACT

Despite the various strategies and policies, Nigeria's total fertility (5.5) remains on the high side. The main objective of the study is to examine factors that determine the fertility behaviour among married women in North-West, Nigeria. The dependent variables are total children ever born, number of living children and fertility desire. The study utilized secondary data from the Nigeria Demographic Health Survey 2013 with a study population of 9567 currently married women in the North-West, Nigeria. Descriptive statistics indicated that majority of the married women had less than 5 number of living children, total children ever born and al so indicated they wanted another child. Chi-square analysis showed that fertility desire was significantly associated with age, residence, education, religion, knowledge of contraceptive method, ever used contraceptives and work status. Number of living children was significantly associated with work status, religion, education, knowledge of contraceptive method, wealth index and age while the total children ever born was found  to be significantly associated with working status, use of contraceptives, inter spousal communication, religion, place of residence, knowledge of contraceptive method, wealth index and age. Logistic regression results indicated that level of education influenced fertility desire. Age influenced the number of living children while religion, age and level of education influenced total children ever born. Therefore, age, education and religion are relevant factors that may assist in shaping fertility behaviour in North-West, Nigeria.