Individual and Community Effects and Adolescent Reproductive Health Transitions in West Africa

Winfred A. Avogo, Illinois State University

Although a growing number of studies have examined the impact of aggregate levels of education and neighborhood characteristics on contraceptive use and fertility, many of these studies have mixed results. Using data from recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) for multiple countries in Western Africa, we examine the effect of aggregate levels of education in the community and other neighborhood characteristics on the timing of union formation and first births of adolescents. The results show that aggregate levels of education in the community are significant predictors of union formation, and first childbearing. Individual-level women’s education also significantly predicts union formation and childbearing. We interpret the results within the literature on neighborhood characteristics and health and in the context of policy debates that are based on Goals 3 and 4 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) as well as prospects for achieving a demographic dividend in Sub-Saharan Africa.