Journal of Health & Medical Informatics

Determinants of High Fertility among Ever Married Women in Enderta District, Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Gezae Atsbaha, Desta Hailu, Hailemariam Berhe, Azeb G Slassie, Dejen Yemane and Wondwossen Terefe

Background: Fertility is one of the major components of population dynamics, which determine the size and structure of a population. According to Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2011 report, the total fertility rate is decreasing from 5.5 children in 2000 to 4.8 in 2011. However, the rate of decline has been very slow as compared to the developed world. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the magnitude and factors associated with high fertility among ever married women aged 25-49 years in Northern Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted on randomly selected 531 subjects in Enderta district using an interviewer administered questionnaire. A multistage sampling technique was used to draw the study participants. Data were collected using a pretested and structured questionnaire from March 10-19/2013. The study participants’ fertility was categorized as high and low. The collected data were coded, entered, and cleaned. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the variables at p-value <0.05. Results: This study showed that 51% of the respondents had high fertility. Women who got married at the age of less than 18 years were 2.63 times (AOR=2.63, 95% CI: ([1.526, 4.528]) more likely to have higher fertility as compared to those who got married at 18 years or more. Similarly, women with history of under five child mortality were 3.57 times (AOR=3.57, 95% CI: [1.884, 6.779]) more likely to have higher fertility when compared to those who had no history of under-five child mortality. Conclusion: About half of the respondents had high fertility. Age at first marriage, under five child mortality, educational status of the women, current age of the women and age at first birth were found to be statistically significant. Thus, information, education and communication (IEC) should be strengthened to create awareness mainly among women and their husbands about the negative consequence of early marriage, early child birth and high fertility rate.