Factors associated with fertility preference among rural women in Uganda

Abstract

There have been significant worldwide reductions in fertility levels, Uganda is still ranked as one with highest fertility (TFR 5.4) and this to some extent is due to the strong desire for large families. The study aimed at identifying the determinants of fertility preference among rural women in Uganda. The data used was extracted from the 2016 UDHS to analyze 13,189 weighted cases of women aged 15-49years. Demographic and socio-economic factors plus exposure to mass media were developed, associations between them and fertility preference were examined. The data were analyzed at three stages; univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis. The findings show that majority (66.3%) of women in rural areas preferred having less than 6 children and most of these (59.8%) were below 30years. All variables except for Total children ever born were significant predictors of fertility preference. Older women 45-49years; (OR 5.83; 95%CI, 4.70-7.21) and married women; (OR 1.63; 95%CI, 1.36-1.92) desired for large families. On the other hand, women affiliated to Jehovah witness; (OR 0.11; 95%CI, 0.02-0.85), highly educated women; (OR 0.25; 95%CI, 0.17-0.36), richest; (OR 0.57; 95%CI, 0.45-0.72), women in manual jobs (OR 0.70; 95%CI, 0.53-0.93); and those exposed to mass media; (OR 0.90; 95%CI, 0.82-0.99) were more likely to desire for less than 6 children. Targeting the need, more strategic interventions like sensitization involving married, uneducated and older women into changing women’s fertility preference are required while continuing to work out further education, job and wealth creation programs for women in rural Uganda.