The Influence of Bio-Demographic, Socio-Economic and Intermediate Variables on Fertility Behaviour of Currently Married Women in Zambia

Bwalya Bwalya, Mulungushi University
Clifford O. Odimegwu, University of the Witwatersrand

Undesirable fertility behaviours are detrimental to maternal health. Zambia is one country battling with fertility behaviours such as early marriage, high parity, shorter birth intervals, and low contraceptive use, all of which contribute to high fertility. The study used pooled data from three (2007-2018) Zambia Demographic Health Surveys to establish the factors associated with married womens fertility behaviour in Zambia. The Poisson regression results show that besides some bio-demographic and socioeconomic factors influence fertility behaviour, this study reveals that intermediate variables such as women marrying at the age of 18 or older (IRR = 0.96 CI: 0.95 - 0.97) and using any type of contraception (IRR = 0.99 CI: 0.98 - 1.00) reduces the risk of women having more children ever born. Therefore, policies and programs focused at tackling fertility behaviours in countries with stalled fertility transitions, such as Zambia, should include activities that address the intermediate variables.