Choice of desired family size among young women in Zambia: what matters?
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Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer
Abstract
In many developing countries, population expansion and high fertility rates have
been of concern to individuals, society, and governments. Zambia is one of the
countries in sub-Saharan Africa, which has been experiencing high fertility for more
than four decades since it attained independence. Understanding of factors associ-
ated with desired family size, especially amongst young women, is important be-
cause their future reproductive behaviour has the potential to influence the country’s
course of fertility. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the determinants
of family size choice among young women in Zambia. The study analysed data
extracted from repeated cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2007, 2013 and 2018.
The analysis was done on a pooled weighted sample of 15,528 young women aged
15–24 years. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine factors associat-
ed with the desired family size of young women. All analyses were conducted using
Stata software version 17 and considered complex survey design. The prevalence
of young women who had the desire of at least 4 children has been considerably
high in Zambia, at 63.2%. Young women in the age group 20–24 were found to
have higher odds (AOR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.66) of desiring at least 4 children
compared to those aged 15–19. Women living in the rural areas were (AOR = 1.41;
95% CI: 1.10, 1.79) more likely to desire at least 4 children compared to their
counterparts living in urban areas. Age of a young woman, place of residence, level
of education, household wealth status, number of living children, and exposure to
mass-media family planning messages were significantly associated with desire of
at least 4 children. The desire for a large family size remains a social concern for
reducing fertility in Zambia. This is because the proportion of young women who
desire a large family size has been consistently high. Increasing access to education
and sexual reproductive health information to young women especially to those in
rural areas is key to changing their reproductive behaviour.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Ideal family size, Young women, Fertility preference, Zambia