Determinants of fertility rate among reproductive aged (15-49) women in Uganda

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the determinants of fertility rates among reproductive aged women (15-49) in Uganda, using data from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS). It investigated socio-economic, socio-demographic, and health-related factors influencing fertility rates. Findings from univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses revealed significant associations between education level, age, contraceptive use, and type of residence with fertility rates at a 5% significance level. Age showed a positive relationship with fertility rates among women aged 20-40 years, with the biggest proportion of respondents in the 20-24 (29.89%) and 25-29 (26.14%) age groups, and the smallest proportion in the 45-49 (6.4%) age group. Higher education levels were negatively associated with fertility rates, with the biggest proportion of respondents having completed primary education (58.86%), and the smallest proportion having attained higher education (7.18%). Contraceptive use, both modern and traditional methods, exhibited a negative relationship with fertility rates, with the biggest proportion of respondents being non-users or intending to use contraceptives later (42.58%), and the smallest proportion using traditional methods (2.72%). Additionally, respondents residing in rural areas were more likely to have higher fertility rates (76.34%) compared to those in urban areas (23.66%), emphasizing regional disparities in reproductive health outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions to enhance reproductive health education, expand contraceptive access, and address healthcare disparities across different regions of Uganda. Policy recommendations include integrating comprehensive reproductive health education into national programs, improving healthcare infrastructure in rural areas, and promoting gender equality to support informed reproductive health decision making among women in Uganda.